Pulling himself back, he looked into her face. The deep green eyes had golden flecks that made them luminous. They were framed by deep, long black lashes, that were a startling contrast to her hair. As she was now, scrubbed free from cosmetics, with her hair tumbling around her, she looked good enough to eat. She looked like the girl he had fallen for. Only a few lines around her eyes betrayed her troubles and her age.

His eyes roamed over her body to the fine white lines just inside the pubic hair, the only evidence of womanhood she displayed. Her small breasts were unmarked, as were her thighs, but a few rogue stretchmarks glistened on her stomach and Tommy loved her more for them. Because they reminded him, as they did her, of what she had given up. Had had taken from her.

Briony ran her slim fingers over them tenderly.

‘Sally’s coming on Saturday, I’m going to arrange to see Ben if I can.’

Tommy nodded solemnly. Sally was Benedict’s nurse. After Isabel Dumas had stopped Briony seeing the boy, she had cultivated his nurse. Briony now saw him only from a distance but it helped to soothe the ache inside her.

Lowering his head he kissed her belly tenderly.

‘I love you, Bri.’ His voice was husky with pent-up emotion and Briony pulled him on top of her and kissed him, her fingers expertly unbuttoning his trousers. As she caressed him he became hard. He pulled off his trousers and lay beside her, kissing her breasts and neck, murmuring his love for her. Briony slowly unbuttoned his shirt, running her nails gently across his back, feeling the goose bumps appearing on his skin. As he entered her, he groaned. She gripped him with her vaginal muscles, pulling him into her expertly, cold-bloodedly, like one of the girls who worked for her. He felt the familiar feeling of sadness envelop him. He rode her hard, thrusting himself inside her until he was spent. Then he collapsed on top of her, and she loved him then. Kissing him gently, whispering endearments. Enjoying his nearness. And as always he forgave her for his hurt. The feeling he was using her and being used in return. Because he knew that Briony was incapable of the feelings she generated in him, and the saddest part for him was what she was missing. But he petted her as he knew she liked, and kissed her.

They lay together for nearly an hour, both lost in their own thoughts. Both wanting to speak of their real feelings and both lost for words.

Finally, Briony stirred. Slipping from under him, she put on a silk wrapper and built up the fire. It was early evening and the sun was slowly disappearing. She put on the bedside lamps and smiled down at Tommy.

‘What have you been doing today?’

He stared up at her and smiled.