‘No, you’re my concern. I told myself that I could be happy just being your friend, but I was fooling myself; when you kissed everyone in the pub yesterday and left, I couldn’t stand it. I’ve waited a long time to meet someone like you, and I’m not going to give up on you just because you’re tied to someone who you don’t love any more. I turned forty-one in October, Shona, I’m forty-one years old, and I have nothing to show for my life, absolutely nothing, apart from a moderately successful career.’

He’s younger than me, she thought, but she felt the young, foolish one. She had no idea what she was doing here, in this flat, in this bed. It had come from nowhere.

Dermot stroked her hair. ‘When did you know that … you felt something for me?’ he asked.

Shona hugged her knees. ‘I didn’t know, I didn’t even let myself know until I saw you tonight. I wasn’t jealous when I saw you flirting with Pam, I didn’t mind that you didn’t flirt with me, I didn’t notice that you were waiting for me to give me a lift home, I didn’t even think you had wanted to ask me out for a drink that time, I thought you were just being polite. All the time I was telling myself that I just wanted us to be friends. I just like your company so much, I just like you so much …’ she trailed off. ‘I deceived myself,’ she said humbly. ‘It’s something I’ve got good at doing, in one way or another.’ She finished her glass of wine. ‘I’m sorry, Dermot. I really think I had better go now.’

‘Shona, please stay. Let me take you out, or cook for you. I promise that I never burn dinner,’ Dermot said appealingly.

‘I’m sorry, Parvez will be waiting for me. I said I had a meeting with you.’

‘Oh, Shona,’ he breathed with disappointment, closing his eyes. ‘Let me drive you home, at least.’

‘No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. But could you walk me to the tube? I don’t think I’d know how to get there. I wasn’t really paying attention on the way over.’