“Indisputably,” he agrees with a warm smile for her. “Believe me, there’s nothing I appreciate more than a well-placed friendship – even if you can’t always answer all of one another’s questions.” It’s an admission, and a promise – he’d do the same for her, few question asked.

“All this pinching is going to cramp my hands,” he adds. “Do you have a recommendation as to where we go for lunch? I know the food here is excellent, but you know the area better than I.”