Just as she went to speak, a waiter came to the table with their coffees. He was young, with red cheeks inflamed with acne. Amber hadn’t seen him there before.

‘Would you like to order any food?’

‘Have you eaten yet?’ James asked her.

She nodded as she took a sip of the latte. She was so good at lying that she couldn’t remember if she’d had breakfast or not.

‘I’ll have the oatmeal with soya milk and fresh fruit,’ James said. The waiter wrote down the order and turned to leave. ‘And I’m severely allergic to nuts.’

‘I will let the kitchen know, sir.’

The waiter left and James took a sip of his coffee. He licked foam from his top lip.

‘I didn’t have a chance to eat this morning. I was on the phone to my contractor at seven a.m.’

‘You earn every penny,’ she replied.

‘I’ll earn even more when my latest deal goes through.’ He placed the cup back on the saucer. ‘So, how’re things?’

‘Richard is having an affair.’

The room buzzed with noise compared to his silence. Young mums in gym gear conversed behind them with cake crumbs on their laps. The central heating in the ceiling hummed quietly, and the baristas worked behind the counter in a cloak of steam.

James stared at her from across the table.

‘Are you sure?’ he whispered.

‘Positive.’

‘Who is she?’

She took a sip of the latte. ‘I have an idea.’

Amber hadn’t had a problem with the colour of her eyes until she met James, and suddenly hers were inadequate compared to his. They weren’t just green, but a deep emerald. She had never seen anything quite like them. If she could pluck them from his skull and slot them inside her own, she would.

‘How long?’

‘Long enough.’

She placed the latte glass on the saucer with a steady hand.

‘You seem awfully calm.’

‘We’re in public. What do you expect me to do, break down and cry?’

‘You know what I mean. How did you find out?’

‘I’ve been with the man long enough to know when I’m being lied to.’

He shook his head. ‘I can’t believe it. I’d never thought of Richard as the adulterous type. Are you sure?’

‘Deadly.’

He cupped his hands around the mug and eyed her over the table.

‘What are you going to do?’

‘I’m not leaving him, if that’s what you’re thinking.’

‘I wasn’t thinking that.’

‘Then what are you thinking?’

James’ eyes twitched from left to right as he thought about her situation. Amber waited.

‘I’m thinking it must be a mistake. Richard loves you.’

‘Men can still love someone and give in to the urge to stray, and the even worse notion that they have pulled the wool over their partner’s eyes.’ She smirked. ‘Excluding you, of course.’