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‘Hello, there,’ he said, stretching his ar OK?’

By the look on her face everything was not OK Her eyes had widened to coal-black circles and her awped at his chest He stifled a smile as he turned to spare her blushes and started to button his shirt

‘I’ her eyes down, ‘but I was ive you this to wear’ She held out a little parcel, kept her head turned away ‘From your mum’

He continued to fasten his buttons and stared at the little parcel

‘Want to open it forto the table for his cufflinks

Her eyes flicked up, then down, but not before she took a good long look He couldn’t help but smile broadly Game on

She pulled open the package and held out a red bow tie and pocket square

‘Is everything OK?’

‘What?’ she said ‘Yes, of course everything is OK I was just wondering why you bother with those things’

He paused, his collar up, considering her carefully That was not what he’d expected to hear

‘Pardon?’

‘Cufflinks What are they even for? Why not just use buttons? I don’t get it’

‘Has anyone ever told you you’re quite forward?’ he said, clicking the cufflinks together

‘I say what’s onto cause offence, but I’ve never seen anyone use them’

He finished and tugged at his cuffs, checking that his sleeves were perfectly straight, watching her watching hi to her more by the minute