‘So you know how some people have a drink and start bragging? Kiki’s issue is the opposite.’ He gently touches my elbow and it steadies me, lances me of nerves – I’m here and I’m here. ‘She has a drink and forgets she’s a big steppa.’ He glances at me with such a blaze of affection that I feel convictions singed. New credos I set for myself such as One Must Not Get Too Close, and You Are Allowed To Vaguely Fantasise About That Tongue Thing He Used to Do, but These Fantasies Cannot Be Propped Up By Any Warm Feelings About His Person fray around the edges.
