‘You’ll survive,’ she says with a brief smile, then darts round as her phone vibrates on the bed. She thumbs the screen and turns away. Which is clearly an invite to come up behind her and continue the neck kissing and maybe steal a glance at the screen, but the second his hands touch her waist she steps away, deactivates the phone and glares at him. ‘Ben, you’ll be late.’

‘I don’t mind. We can do what we did last night . . .’

‘I said no. Stop being a pervert.’

‘Eh?’ He comes to a stop at the harsh tone.

She turns away to the dresser to grab her hairbrush. ‘I hate being pawed. You know that.’

‘Pawed? You took your towel off . . .’

‘Said the rapist to the judge.’

‘What the fuck . . . ?’

‘Don’t swear at me, Ben.’

‘Ah now,’ Ben says, smiling apologetically with one hand on the back of his neck as he dips his head and looks up at her.

‘Oh no,’ she snaps, shaking her head at him angrily. ‘Don’t do that.’

‘What?’ he asks.

‘That ah now with the hand on your neck. Look, I’m running late now,’ she huffs. ‘I’ll see you tonight.’

‘Steph, hang on . . .’

‘I said I will see you tonight,’ she snaps.

‘Okay okay.’ He backs away, feeling jarred from the sudden mood switch. She’s been doing that a lot lately, but then they are planning a wedding and both of them work demanding jobs in the city. He heads down the stairs and pauses at the door. His face pensive. The urge to ask her now is strong but her mood is already dark and it risks an argument which will make them both late for work. Sometimes things are best left. ‘I’ll see you tonight then,’ he calls up gently.

‘Yes, Ben,’ she shouts in that irritated tone.

He sighs and heads outside to drive to the station where he parks up and rushes on to the platform towards the kiosk then curses when the front of the train comes into view down the tracks.

‘Ben.’

He looks over and sees Judith leaning out of the kiosk window holding a large disposable cup. She smiles kindly, a face of wrinkles, grey hair and twinkling eyes. ‘You’re late this morning.’

‘Yeah, rushing about. Thank you so much though . . .’ he says, grabbing the cup and delving a hand into his pocket.

‘Pay me tomorrow,’ she says, waving him away. ‘You’ll miss it.’

‘Thanks, Judith.’

‘Steph on her way is she?’ she calls out as he moves across the platform.

‘Yep, drying her hair about now I think.’

‘I’ll have one waiting for her.’

‘Thanks, Judith.’

Hey love, can you pay for my coffee if you have time, I almost missed the train? Judith said she’ll have yours waiting x