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He’d seen it on some late-night television show, God only knew what the name of it was. Something about romance and acting outside of your comfort zone. But as Kirby scattered rose petals over the bed, he felt like a right twit. Come morning, he would have to gather them up again. Still, he admired the effect, and the new duvet cover looked fresh and smooth, even if it was cheap.

He wanted to make Amy feel special because she’d gone through such a difficult time. If nothing else, this would make her laugh.

Sweating by the time he’d finished lighting the last candle, he heard her arrive home. He closed the bedroom door softly and went down to greet her.

‘How was your day?’ He kissed the top of her head.

‘Grand. It came and went. I’d kill for a glass of wine.’

‘Oh, don’t do that or I’ll have to arrest you.’

She laughed. ‘That’s so corny.’

Leading her by the hand, he brought her into the kitchen, where he’d been cooking a curry before he’d gone upstairs to decorate the bedroom.

‘Smells…’ She paused. ‘Is it burning, Larry?’

‘Goddammit to hell.’ He whipped the pan off the hob. The curry sauce, which should have been a creamy yellow, was burned brown. The chicken pieces had shrivelled to black dots like buttons on a coat. The rice had melded into a soggy mess.

Switching off the appliances, he scratched his head. ‘I wanted to do something special for you. Looks like it’s a mega failure.’

‘It’s the thought that counts. We can order in. The table is fab, though.’

He felt heat flush up his cheeks. He’d set it with new plates and cutlery that he’d got at half price in the Guineys January sale, and he’d sprinkled a few rose petals across the table too. Despite all that, he felt like a grade-A dope.

She pulled out a chair and sat, wincing.

He sat opposite her. ‘Want me to take off your brace?’

‘I need my pills first. Would you be a pet?’

‘Your wish is my command.’ He filled a glass of water and fetched her pills from the cupboard. As she swallowed them, he noticed dark rings circling her eyes. ‘Is the new job taking too much out of you?’

‘It’s tiring, but I need it to keep me sane. I was going bananas looking at the same walls day in, day out. And Larry, I really appreciate all this.’ She swept her hand out over the table. ‘What will we order?’

‘I’d love a McDonald’s.’

She laughed. ‘That’s what we’ll have then. Ring it in, and while we’re waiting, you can take this cursed thing off my leg.’

‘With pleasure.’

Kirby smiled. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be a total disaster.