‘He called you-’

‘Well, I told you,’ he said, sounding aggrieved.

I tried to see his face as we sped out to the deep water where The Hawk was moored. But the light changed so fast that I couldn’t make out much except that he was grinning like a man with a handful of aces. I knew that look. I even had a weakness for it. And already I was getting warning signals that I was determined to ignore.

One thing was clear. This man was trouble and fun in equal measures.

So let the good times begin!

‘Just say that you’ll help me,’ he said urgently.

‘How?’

‘By being my girlfriend. Here’s the story. We’ve known each other for a few months, we meet constantly at my London flat, and these last few weeks we’ve had secret assignations all over Europe. My sister keeps demanding to meet you because she doesn’t think you exist, but you do.’

He was gabbling, and I only took half of it in.

‘Assignations all over Europe-’ I said. ‘Weren’t we travelling together?’

‘No, I was on the yacht.’

‘Why didn’t you invite me on the yacht, you cheap-skate?’

‘Because Grace wouldn’t have you.’

‘Grace?’

‘My sister. My keeper. She’s organised this trip to get me married, but you are going to thwart her.’

‘So-I’m your girlfriend-?’

‘That’s right. I’m mad about you because you’re beautiful, sweet-natured, witty, and the sexiest thing in creation. Do you think you can remember that?’

‘Can you?’ I asked.

‘Yes, all of it. Especially the last bit. OK, we’re nearly there. Act the part.’

‘You want me to gaze into your eyes?’

‘I think it’ll take a bit more than that,’ he said hoarsely, and wrapped his arms tightly around me.

I ought to have seen it coming, but he moved so fast that I was taken by surprise. Suddenly I was being pressed back against the curve of his arm while his mouth covered mine in a perfect simulation of hungry passion.