"Okay," she says, reaching for the chopping board and a knife. "But you'll want to take the garlic off the heat completely while I do that."

She concentrates on the task, ignoring his presence as far as she can, but aware of him, all the time, like a prickling on the back of her neck. Peppers, mushrooms, baby sweetcorn.

And no cutting yourself accidentally, Shelley. Focusing on vegetables.