Giant Rapidesque geometry and feel?
 

I lucked into a my first buy being a giant rapid which I was able to get panniers and mudguards squeezed onto at my LBS. I loved that bike, flew in on the commute, was nippy and agile in the city. I'd take off panniers and it was perfect for the odd longer cycle.

It's been nicked and you can't buy the Rapid anymore... The Escape has more hybrid geometry and style ? Is there anything which is basically an updated Rapid ? Or am I missing something? I want the most flat bar road bike I can squeeze panniers onto and an AL frame is plenty good for me.

It looks like a pretty good road-focused hybrid. Most companies make them. Shopping, keep an eye out for the carbon fork and perhaps road bike components (Claris, Sora, Tiagra, Apex), not entry-level-mtb components (Altus Acera Alivio) which are cheaper and heavier and have a wider stance on the pedals. Giant specifically, more like the Fastroad, maybe the very top model Escape.