‘Somewhere swanky – I know, how about that place Jon took you?’

‘The OXO Tower?’

‘Yes. I’ve always wanted to go there.’

‘Great, done. And has Pete found Saranya Ji yet?’

‘Not yet, but he’s still on the case. And how about you? You’ve had your three dates?’ Marcia asked. ‘Any clearer? Who’s it to be? Michael, Jon or Stuart?’

I shook my head. ‘No idea, I’m more confused than ever. They’re all nice and appealing in different ways. Truth is, I don’t know what I want any more.’

‘So give yourself a break. It’s not as though there’s any countdown on this.’

‘Apart from Michael going back to Thailand at some point.’

Marcia laughed. ‘There are planes; you could always go out there if you decide that it’s him. I’d say, relax, what will be will be. You can’t force love or destiny. I think all will become clear. Trust that.’

*

I booked the table at the OXO Tower for the following weekend for Marcia and me and asked Heather to join us for a chance to review what I was going to do next.

‘What does your gut tell you?’ asked Heather as we travelled down together on the tube.

‘That I need to eat less sugar.’

‘Seriously. The three contenders?’

‘Seriously, I like all of them for different reasons. It’s an impossible situation.’

‘Surely one of them must draw you more than the others,’ she said.

‘I’m drawn to all of them. I feel different on different days. One day I think that it’s Michael, definitely Michael, he’s always been the love of my life; then I think no, best leave the past in the past. Michael was a long time ago, so start afresh, so that would be with Jon. He’s the newest man in my life and he really does seem different lately, plus he’s great fun to be with.’

‘Fun is good. You need some of that in your life. But can you trust him?’

‘I’d say yes. He says he’s a changed man, and don’t forget he was married for a long time.’

‘Ah, but did you ever find out why he and his wife split up?’

‘Actually no, he never did tell me that.’

‘Could be because he was playing around then.’

‘You don’t like him, do you Heather?’ I asked.

She shrugged a shoulder. ‘Only because he seems like a player.’

‘He said that was because he felt insecure, needed to prove to himself that he is still attractive. I understand that.’

Heather pulled a face. ‘Sounds like a line to me.’

‘And Stuart?’ asked Marcia. ‘I like him.’

‘Me too,’ said Heather.

‘Me too,’ I said, ‘and definitely, there are days now when I think yes, it’s Stuart, and now he’s separated from—’