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‘You certainly can’t.’ I lean forward, smiling. ‘I also love the environment, Marcus. I’m a committed vegan. Well, unless cheese is putdirectlyin front of me. And every toilet in my house is fitted with a water-saving flush mechanism.’

‘A woman of principle.’ Marcus’s smile widens. ‘How marvellous.’

Despite Marcus’s size and muscular stature, there is something so sweetly shy about him. The combination of strength and vulnerability is adorable.

‘And a woman of intelligence.’ Ahmet leans across the table. ‘Tell me, Kat. How did you and Freddy become friendly?’

CHAPTER22

Ahmet looks at me expectantly, as waiters place plates of coin-sized miso-aubergine.

I laugh. ‘I’m not entirely sure Freddy and Iarefriendly.’

‘Well, there’s a story there!’ Ahmet leans onto his elbows. ‘Please don’t tell me you dated him. I’ve lost count of the many beautiful women Freddy has been lucky enough to squire around.’

‘Chance would be a fine thing!’ Freddy picks up his knife and fork. ‘I’ve asked Kat out plenty of times, but she always turns me down. She isverypicky.’ He winks at me.

‘A woman of principle, intelligence and taste.’ Marcus gives me a quick smile, then unfolds his napkin over his pin-striped trousers.

‘Excellent!’ Ahmet gives the table a delighted little pat. ‘I’m glad someone in this country is immune to Freddy’s charms. Handsome bastard! It’s not fair on the rest of us.’

‘Katerina – tell us about Little Voice.’ Marcus skewers his aubergine. ‘What kind of books do you sell?’

‘I’m never quite sure which of our books willsell,’ I admit. ‘But wepublishstories that aren’t usually shared. From people with disabilities, for example. Our books might not have a huge audience, but they shine a light.’

‘Wow,’ says Ahmet. ‘What a refreshing outlook.’

‘Marvellous.’ Marcus gives a stoic nod. ‘You must have been a very young entrepreneur, Katerina. Little Voice has been going for well over a decade, hasn’t it?

‘Yes,’ I say. ‘I was nineteen when I started.’

Ahmet nearly chokes on his miso-aubergine. ‘Nineteen? My goodness. How did you fit university around all of that?’

‘Oh, I was only studying Italian literature,’ I say. ‘Easy peasy. Six lectures a week, a couple of seminars, 50 books to read and a few 50,000-word essays here and there. I was bored, to be honest. I needed a challenge. And …’ I look at my plate. ‘Truthfully, I need a distraction too. My mother died a few years earlier. So, to take my mind off things, I made my passion into a business.’

‘So, you’re a natural entrepreneur?’ Ahmet asks.

‘I have good days and bad days.’ I take a deep breath and add quickly: ‘But that’s probably because-I-have-MS.’

‘Sorry?’ Ahmet blinks at me.

Marcus leans forwards. ‘I didn’t quite catch that either.’

‘MS,’ I say. ‘Multiple sclerosis. I have it. A degenerative disease. Some days I’m fine, others I can’t walk.’

I offer a weak smile. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned my MS so soon. But I don’t want to waste any more time with the wrong men. If Ahmet or Marcus are put off, I need to find out sooner rather than later.

‘A cousin of mine has MS.’ Marcus gives me a steady stare. ‘Yours is relapsing, remitting, I’m guessing? For you to have started such a successful business … my goodness, you’re incredible.’

I blush.

‘Yes,incredible,’ says Ahmet. ‘I struggle with my PHD papers if I have so much as a cold. Katerina, surely you should win some sort of award for this.’

‘Well, Little Voice has won quite a few awards,’ I say coyly.

‘You’ve won awards!’ Ahmet sits bolt upright. ‘That is remarkable.’

‘Yes, bravo.’ Marcus beats his hands gently together. ‘Astonishing. You know, my cousin does a lot of work with the MS society. Perhaps we should meet to talk about her charitable efforts.’