'You're just there. I was just going to call you,' Pearl exclaimed, without looking up from placing the figurine on the wedding cake she was decorating. Her tongue was sticking out, resting on her lower lip.

It made me smile. 'Do you fancy going out?'

She still didn't look up. "This is good. I'm sure my face would give away any attempt to feign coldness. I'm still a little confused after my lunchtime meeting with a Lord of the Country Hills. I don't have the energy to get ready and go out.'Shall we save ourselves for tomorrow?' I tried.

I know this will mean a bottle of wine on the...