“Yes.”

“I think I was afraid of something like this ever since she burned herself,” Olivia admitted. “All evening, while we were waiting, I felt this panic that didn’t make sense if it really was just a burn. But of course it isn’t.”

“You don’t know that...”

“No, but I think she does. The look on her face...” Olivia shook her head, her throat closing up. She didn’t want to lose it in front of Simon. They hadn’t even gone on their date yet.

“I’m sorry, Olivia,” he said, his voice so heartfelt it made her eyes sting. “I really am sorry.”

“Thank you.”

They didn’t talk for the rest of the journey back to Wychwood-on-Lea, which was a relief. Simon parked in front of Tea on the Lea, and when Olivia turned to bid him farewell, as well as a huge thank you, he gave her a lopsided smile.

“I’ll see you to the door.”

She fumbled with the key, feeling both awkward in Simon’s presence and yet desperately not wanting to be alone. As she stepped into the shop Dr Jekyll let out a yowl and jumped into her arms, making Olivia let out a screech of surprise even as she instinctively clasped him to her chest. She stumbled back into Simon, who steadied her, his hands warm and solid on her shoulders. Her back collided with his chest.

“Sorry...” she mumbled, embarrassed and off balance, her arms full of aggrieved feline. “He hasn’t been fed, poor cat.” Dr Jekyll deigned to show his displeasure by digging his claws deep into Olivia’s arms and she let out a little yelp.

“Sorry,” she said again as she stepped away from Simon. “He’s a bit of a crazy cat.” Which was an understatement. “He’s called Dr Jekyll.”

“Ah. The name says it all, really.”

“Yes. I’d better get him some food.” She moved towards the stairs in the back of the shop that led up to her flat, realising belatedly that Simon hadn’t actually left. She turned around and he gave her an awkward smile.

“Sorry, I’ll go. I just wanted to make sure you were okay on your own.”

“Ye-es...” Olivia began, but to her mortification, her voice wobbled all over the place and ended on something that sounded alarmingly close to a sob.

“Oh, Olivia.” With his face full of sympathy, Simon walked towards her and then put his arms around her, cat and all. Dr Jekyll let out an indignant yowl and jumped out of her arms, leaving Olivia free to put her arms around Simon, which she realised she very much wanted to do.

There was nothing romantic about their hug; it was a gesture solely of comfort and compassion, understanding and sympathy, and Olivia needed it very, very much.

She breathed in the scent of Simon—frosty air and wool scarf, a hint of lemony aftershave. She closed her eyes, savouring the feel of his arms around her, his body next to hers. When had she last been hugged properly, not just a quick side-arm or excited squeeze by one of her friends? She couldn’t even remember, but she knew now that she’d missed it. A lot.