I knew I could confide in Stuart. He’d been there with a listening ear and kind words many times. ‘Mainly hesitation. He was always a restless soul and I never knew where I stood with him.’

‘I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.’

‘Don’t worry. I doubt if he’ll even get in touch again. I’m not going to get involved.’

‘Do you want a relationship?’ he asked. He still had his arm around me and, although it felt good and natural, I suddenly thought, What if someone saw us? His wife? Or someone who knew both of them? Although it was innocent, it could be misconstrued. I pulled away slightly and Stuart removed his arm.

‘Do I want a relationship? Possibly, but things change as you get older, don’t they? You find you want different things.’

‘Sure, and we should find the time to identify them.’

‘What about you, Stuart? What do you want? I mean in life.’

‘Me? I’ve always wanted to play music so I’ve started. A few old codgers like me have formed a band. OK, so we’ll never be the greatest, but I love it.’

‘Can I come and see you play?’

‘Hah, if we ever play in public, I’ll let you know.’

As we continued on our way, I thought how it always felt so easy with Stuart and how much I was enjoying just strolling along, two people and a dog, just normal. ‘It would be nice to have the companionship,’ I said, ‘that’s for sure, someone to do the everyday things with.’

‘Companionship? That sounds a bit dull.’

‘OK, more than that, but I’ve got used to being on my own too, set in my ways. I’m not sure I want to share my space with someone. I’ve got used to making my own decisions and not having to compromise, like I did with Richard the control freak. I like that aspect, but then there are times when yes, I feel alone. I guess I want it all. A lover who’s there when I want him to be, then disappears when I want space, like that card that was going around a few years back – what’s the definition of the perfect lover? An Adonis who makes love all evening then turns into a pizza.’

Stuart laughed. ‘I’m sure you’d make it work if you were with the right person.’

‘Yeah, like that’s going to happen. No. I think I just have to accept that I’m going to be on my own.’

‘Never too late …’ said Stuart, and was about to say something else when he took off after Monty, having seen that he was in pursuit of a squirrel.