Danny did his best to match her rhythm. His body shuddered and he let out a sign of resignation. He was done.

“Wimp,” teased Chrissie. She held the pose for another ten seconds then slowly stood up straight. She used the motion of a deep lunge to place the kettle bell on the floor.

“Damn, you’re good. I’ve been doing martial arts since I was a kid and I still can’t match you.”

“Different skill set, that’s all. You know I do cardio kickboxing twice a week, but I couldn’t step into the ring with a real fighter. I’d get my ass handed to me in a minute.”

“That doesn’t help my ego. I’m glad my brother isn’t around to see this. I’d never live it down.”

Chrissie clasped her hands to her chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d lost a brother.”

Danny rolled into a sitting position, laughing. “Oh no, he’s not dead. It’s worse than that. He’s in Texas.” Danny crunched out twenty tight sit-ups and thrust his chin at Chrissie as he completed the set. “There!”

“Ah, the natural balance is restored in the macho universe.”

“I think so too.” Danny winked at his training partner. Chrissie had made good on her promise. She had worked with him relentlessly in the week since he had resolved the problem of her stalker. He had supplied no further details, other than that she had nothing more to worry about. “I feel fitter and stronger than I ever have.”

Chrissie punched him lightly on his shoulder. “Don’t look so bad now either.”

“Does that mean I looked shoddy before?”

“Just take a compliment when it’s offered.” She moved towards Danny, taking his hand in hers. “Seriously, though, thank you for getting that guy off my back.”

Danny brushed an errant strand of hair from her face. The kiss they shared was light, unhurried. The moment was interrupted by the ringtone of Danny’s phone. “I need to get this. It’s my un-dead Texan sibling.”

Chrissie smiled and waved her hand at the phone. She poured them both a glass of organic orange juice. The call lasted less than two minutes.

“You’re leaving?”

Danny nodded. “Aye. A friend of the family has gone missing. We need to go and look for her.”

Chrissie closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.