I’ve texted Mum, saying I may want to stay over there tonight. What I really want is to go to Joel’s straight after, but I don’t deserve that, after breaking Tim’s heart.

There’s no rush. Soon, Joel and I will have all the time we need to enjoy being together. The old me is back, but wiser, more grateful, more certain than I ever was then of what I want and need.

As Mo and I step outside the building, the cold wind makes my teeth hurt and my eyes water. We’ve just heard about the awful tsunami that has hit Thailand; they reckon hundreds might have died. Between that and the usual post-shift fatigue, we’re feeling odd and fragile.

‘Aye-aye,’ Mo says. ‘He’s back again.’

I look up to see Joel standing on the pavement, and warmth rushes through me, top to toe.

Except . . . his stance is different. Cowed. And his face doesn’t change when he sees me. It’s as if he’s looking right through me.

Mo gives me a quick hug. ‘Happy New Year, love. See you in 2005!’

I don’t move. Something is wrong and I don’t want to know what it is. Taking a step towards him will make this bad thing come sooner. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Kerry, I—’

‘You’ve done it again, haven’t you? Decided you don’t love me after all.’

He frowns. ‘No. Never. But I need to tell you something.’

We don’t touch, though I want to kiss him to stop him saying whatever it is that’s going to break the spell.

‘Let’s get out of the cold,’ he says, and I follow him away from the sea and up an alleyway. He stops outside a dingy-looking pub. It’s like the opposite of the TARDIS, smaller inside than out, decorated in blood shades, furnished with faux mahogany.

‘Coffee, or something stronger?’ he asks.

‘Whatever you think I’m going to need.’

He goes to the bar and I find a dark corner. He brings over a Coke for him and a glass of white wine for me. Holding the cold glass makes me shiver. Whatever it is, I don’t want to know.

‘I had strange news yesterday. It doesn’t have to affect us, but we promised we’d be honest with each other, right?’

‘It’s that serious?’ I take a gulp of wine. I love Joel, despite all his faults. I can’t imagine anything that would turn this feeling on its head.

‘I’ve just found out I have a child.’

I stare at him. I must have misheard. ‘Sorry, you what?’

‘A baby. I hoped it had been aborted but—’ He picks up his glass and drinks, and for a moment I wonder if there is vodka in it. ‘No. That came out wrong.’ He frowns.