I hear Tim’s voice in my head. Biology is deceitful. Post-coital contentment is not the same as love. Oxytocin, the bonding hormone, helps couples pair up for long enough to reduce the death rate in their offspring.

I don’t care.

Joel sits up and his arm around me pulls me up too. There’s beer left in his bottle and we share it. He kisses me, gets up, fetches two more bottles, and lays them against my back, the glass deliciously cold.

‘Was everything OK for you?’ I ask, even though I know I shouldn’t because it sounds needy.

He smiles but instead of taking the piss, he says, ‘I wasn’t sure I’d ever have the nerve to do that again, but everything still seems to be in working order.’

‘I’m no expert but I’d say it is. Were you really scared?’

He seems to be about to say something but instead he hands me my beer and takes a sip from his own. ‘Nah. And as long as I can still score goals, too, it’ll be as if I never died in the first place.’

Before my own doubts about his future spoil the moment, I put down my bottle. ‘How many condoms do you have?’

Joel grins. ‘Why would you ask a question like that?’

Don’t chicken out now. Be cool. Be wild.

‘Well . . . we’re both here. I’ve been a late starter and you’ve been out of action for too long.’

‘I’m definitely back in the game tonight, but at least give me a minute to get my breath back.’ He puts down his beer and reaches over to pull me close enough to kiss. ‘Happy birthday, Kerry Smith.’

I sneak home around four thirty. When I undress, my underwear looks prissy, like it belongs to a younger girl, not the woman I am now. As I climb into bed, I’m sure I won’t sleep, but I do, deeply.

In the morning, I shower and I touch my body tentatively under the flow of water. My muscles ache in new places.

Why didn’t I slow down last night? It’s pretty extreme to go from first kiss to full sex in under an hour. I remember seeing shock cross Joel’s face before desire replaced it . . .

I’ve always wanted more adventure, but this urge to act on my desires has only begun since I saved Joel’s life. That night changed us so much. He doesn’t feel like the old Joel anymore – and I almost don’t recognize myself either.

‘Kerry, do you want a cuppa?’ my sister calls up the stairs.

I make my way down to the kitchen.

‘Not like you to start the day singing, Kerry.’

I hadn’t realized I was.

‘Young love is so adorable,’ Marilyn says. ‘Did Prince Charmless finally get into your knickers last night?’