He sighed. ‘Listen, I understand if you don’t want to give us another try – I get that – but I wanted you to know that I’ve broken up with Zoe. You can’t marry someone because they take you on holiday. I decided it wasn’t fair to marry her when I was missing you.’

At least he was being honest. That put a different slant on things.

‘I’ve also decided to retrain and do something useful for the community.’

‘And what’s that?’

Phil beamed. ‘I’m going to college to learn how to be a paramedic. Always wanted to drive an ambulance. I reckon they need drivers who can get to the scene of an accident quick smart.’

‘Wow.’ Tara realized she’d never known exactly what Phil did, beyond ‘business consultancy’. He wouldn’t be able to go off-radar for three weeks in an ambulance. That’s if they even let him drive one, with his points. She decided not to rain on that parade. ‘Well, good for you, Phil.’

He looked up, gazing straight into her face with his blue eyes, eyes that could wink her into bad decisions just like that. They were serious now. ‘You once told me change is hard, but I’m ready for it. I needed this shock to make me realize what I really wanted. But I’m going on holiday first.’

‘Oh.’ That was more like Phil.

‘Yeah, bit awkward, as it happens. I’d booked the apartment for me and Zoe, as a last-minute thing but obviously that’s off. Somewhere in Italy, near some vineyards or something. Seven days, all-inclusive, end of the month. Anyway, I was wondering if you’d like to come?’

He looked hopeful.

‘Have I got this right?’ asked Tara. ‘You’re asking me to come on the holiday you booked for the woman you were two-timing me with?’

Phil gazed at her, and there was a glimmer of the old charm under the new humility. ‘Come on. I didn’t have to tell you the truth, did I? I could have just said, “Tara, I’ve booked a holiday for you and me in Italy …”’

Tara rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to be amused, but it was so outrageous she couldn’t help it.

‘You’ll think about it?’

Why not? What else was there to think about right now? Wherever she turned – work, the house, her dad, her brother, the floods – there was stress and responsibility. A week away in the sun with Phil, with absolutely no promises of anything other than vino and a hot tub, was tempting. It shouldn’t be. But it was.

‘Phil, tell me something.’

‘What?’

‘Have you been reading self-help books?’

‘How did you know?’

‘I just … I just guessed.’

‘I’ve been seeing a counsellor too,’ he said proudly. ‘Will you think about it?’