‘Nothing.’ I flinched away from him. ‘I’m jumpy for good reason, don’t you think?’ Locating my trousers, I sat on the edge of the bed to pull them on. But Seb didn’t answer, suddenly looking uncertain. It was my turn to laugh, only I didn’t find it the least bit funny. ‘What, you think I’m imagining all this?’

He still didn’t speak.

‘Seb!’

He ran his hands through his hair. ‘I’m not saying that. But – it’s just – a little extreme to think I’m trying to kill you. You must see that, don’t you?’

I found my shirt and tried to grin but it was shaky. ‘Okay. Maybe you’re right. I’m just a bit – wound up at the moment.’

‘I can’t believe you’d think I want to hurt you,’ he said quietly, contemplating me. ‘Why would I want to hurt you, babe? God, if anything, I think –’ His voice faltered.

‘What?’ I stopped buttoning my shirt up and looked at him.

‘Nothing.’ He walked over to the balcony and opened the doors properly. The trees outside were festooned with tiny fairy lights, the sky as black as treacle beyond.

‘Tell me what you were going to say,’ I prompted quietly.

‘If anything, I think you’ll be the one to hurt me,’ he said, staring out into space, almost talking to himself now.

‘Why? I don’t understand.’ I wrinkled my brow, suddenly chilly in the December breeze.

There was a long pause.

‘Because you’re on the rebound.’

‘I’m not.’ I was defensive. ‘Of course I’m not.’

‘Aren’t you? It’s just –’ at last he turned back to me, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you, Maggie.’

‘Oh,’ I said. I gazed at him, stupefied. ‘Are you?’

‘Yes. I think I am.’

‘Blimey.’

‘Yeah,’ Seb said, stepping nearer, ‘blimey. It wasn’t really on the cards, was it?’ He reached for my hands and pulled me gently towards him.

‘I suppose not,’ I mumbled.

‘And the trouble is, I think – I think it’s beyond my control.’