At the polite prompt for her name, Veetie, who said she no longer believed in fate, made a choice that was to have consequences for the rest of her life. Perhaps, deep down, she knew that this moment was the belated beginning of her grown-up life, and that her long-standing childhood nickname, along with all the disappointments it represented, was no longer good enough for her. Whatever the reason, she made a break with her entire past, and rather than introduce herself as Veetie, chose to tell him her true name, the name with which she’d been christened. It’s Verity, Miss Verity Trueman.’

On hearing her name, Rashid’s head snapped up like someone who’d been slapped awake. His wide-open eyes looked clearly and deeply into Verity’s as though scales had fallen from them, and the shining road ahead was suddenly clear. He looked at Verity and saw something more than her fragility, more than her timid smile and delicate complexion - he saw a glimpse of his future, and his fate. He saw the woman with whom he could finally fall in love.

‘Ricky,’ he said, after some effort. ‘My name is Ricky. Ricky Karim, at your service.’ The saying of his real name thrilled him, an affirmation of who he really was, and who he could be again. He held out his hand to Verity and she took it, aware that something magical had happened, but not knowing what had caused it.

‘Miss Trueman, or Verity, if I may call you that? Would you like to get something to eat? I have a couple of hours until my flight, and I can help you with those bags.’

‘That would be lovely,5 said Verity breathlessly, feeling like Cinderella. She walked out of the lounge with Ricky in her cheap shoes, with her good, but over-stuffed bag, as though walking on air, as though saved. She even smiled at the stuffy BA staff, who looked at her with poorly concealed distaste, as though to sniff, ‘Well, really.5