‘It said in the book you gave up medical school to help Pete,’ Jemima said.

Chance’s smile flickered almost imperceptibly but Jemima saw it. In her brief glances, she wanted to study him, understand him, know him a little better.

‘There was a complication with one of his surgeries. Lula had to work full time and there was no one to look after him during the day so I took six months out, flew to Mexico and… well, you know how life is… A year later, after I came home, I decided to just keep going with my OT practice and set up the charity instead.’

‘Wow,’ said Jemima as they completed their lap of the park, returning to where they’d begun.

‘The way I see it,’ said Chance holding onto the railings and watching an old couple throwing breadcrumbs for some ducks, ‘it doesn’t matter how you give back just as long as you do.’

Once again Jemima’s puppeteer took over her body and before she knew it she was putting a comforting hand on Chance. He looked back at her. She could tell, though he would never blame Pete, the missed opportunity weighed on him still.

They both turned back to watch the old couple scatter food for the hungry ducks who waddled and pecked their way through the scraps.

‘Don’t you hope you can be like them one day…’ said Chance, almost to himself.

‘The ducks?’ said Jemima.

Chance smiled before looking back at the couple.

‘So, dare I ask how the writing’s going?’

‘It’s definitely going,’ Jemima replied as her gaze followed the old couple stroll, arm in arm, to a nearby bench.

‘Well if you ever need a sounding board, I’m always here.’

‘Thank you,’ Jemima said appreciating the offer.

‘So, is it going so well you’d be free for dinner? I found this amazing Mexican joint. If you liked the tequila I had on the plane, you will love this place. It’s got fifty-seven varieties. It’s like the Heinz of tequila,’ said Chance.

‘I… I’m not…’ she stammered.

‘Doesn’t have to be dinner. Could be lunch? Breakfast – a coffee? A piece of cake? Another walk?’ said Chance.

Jemima’s stomach tangled up. She could say yes, she thought, as she looked into Chance’s gentle eyes. And one day maybe she would but that day wasn’t today.

‘The thing is… me and my girlfriends are playing this dating game. It’s really to help Simi, my friend, change her habits. Point is, we’ve got these rules. No outside dating.’ She shrugged apologetically.

Was it still an excuse if it was true?

Chance stared at her blankly. ‘I didn’t say… I mean, it’s just dinner.’

Jemima’s mouth gaped as she frantically replayed the conversation. ‘Well you said…’

‘I had a nice time at the reading. I just thought we could do something again but no sweat…’ he said glancing at his watch, ‘I’ve got an eleven thirty appointment. You coming?’

He turned to leave and after a moment, a confused Jemima followed him.