Out on the pavement she took a sip of her coffee, its sweet, milky warmth taking the edge off her sorrow. She looked at Chance’s practice, her eyes drawn, as always, up. Could either of them tolerate a goodbye? Of all the people entangled in this mess, he was the only one not angry with her – she hoped. With America now a certainty, a final farewell to Chance could be the best full stop to this sorry car crash she could expect. Just then the 11a bus rumbled past her. She knew its route well. After the post office it took a right and went straight past the park – their park. She hesitated for a moment, then made a dash for the bus stop.

Jemima held the railings, her breath shallow. As she scanned the children’s playground and ornamental garden, she spotted Chance. He was sitting by the pond, pulling apart a sandwich and throwing scraps to a hungry congregation of pigeons. She walked around to a side gate and approached him.

‘Made some new friends,’ she said nodding towards the pigeons.

He looked up and a smile broke which he quickly buried.

‘Hey,’ he said going back to ripping up his sandwich.

‘I, umm, I just wanted to say sorry you got caught up in the thing on Sunday,’ she said, hovering awkwardly by his side.

An apology was a safe place to start given she owed one to pretty much everybody. Chance shrugged, tossing the remainder of his lunch aside. One by one, the pigeons waddled towards it. Jemima wished her life were that simple, just carb-loading and trying not to step in your own shit.

‘From the little I heard, it sounded like a nightmare,’ he said, dusting crumbs off his hands.

‘A nightmare would have been preferable. You can wake up from those,’ said Jemima as she tore at the rim of her coffee cup. ‘Someone with less scruples than you suggested I did it.’

‘Miles?’ Chance asked.

Jemima looked away. Discussing Miles was like discussing the Titanic with passengers on the QEII. No one would feel better after that.

‘Simi mentioned him the other night. Said he was your big love and that you were back together.’

An uncomfortable silence descended as Jemima foundered.

‘So is it true? Are you back together?’

‘We’re not but…’ she begun then stopped.

It wasn’t that simple. Now she was committed to a new choice, to standing still – in LA. She had given Rebecca her word; a promise had been made. Soon deposits would be sent and flights booked. And after that, there would be no more running away. No reneging. She would put down roots and finally stand still, out of everyone’s way.

‘Well so you know, nothing happened with Simi. She got a bit tipsy so I carried her home and nodded off on the couch,’ said Chance.

‘What you two do is none of my business,’ Jemima said, regret quickly following as Chance recoiled.