It’s Friday night, and the familiar hum of The Ship Inn envelops Graham like a cozy blanket, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the easy banter of patrons. Beside him, his best friends are deep in conversation. Barney is mid-anecdote, his laughter booming like a foghorn, while Sara cradles a pint, her eyes sparkling with mischief. They’ve all been single for what feels like an eternity, and honestly, the thought of dating seems more like a chore to Graham. He’s retreated into his shell, perfectly content with evenings like this, surrounded by his two favorite companions.

The pub door swings open, and a new face glides in, someone Graham has never seen at The Ship Inn before. They’re... captivating. Instantly, they capture his attention. And not just his; out of the corner of his eye, he notices Barney’s story faltering, his gaze magnetically drawn to the newcomer. Even Sara, usually armed with a quip sharper than a barbed wire fence, falls silent, her pint momentarily forgotten.

A hungry glint ignites in Barney’s eyes, quickly mirrored by Sara’s. Are they really about to embark on a mission to see who can win over this intriguing stranger?