The waitress returned with your drinks. Interrupted you both laughing. Had you churned out the same joke? You instantly cupped the beer you were handed, like you were relieved you finally had a prop to help with your nerves. She remained cool, took a sip from her tall glass of clear liquid.

After watching you both for a while, attempting to lip-read to no avail, a couple more people arrived at the bus stop. But only KFC Kid leant against the seats. Pst, pst, pst, pst. He nodded in time to the beat. Pst, pst, pst, pst. I pressed my hands against my ears and closed my eyes to shut it out. My hair was soaked, but it wasn’t raining. It seems impossible as I say it, but I think I must have dropped off for a moment. Because when I reopened them, KFC Kid was holding my bag. I thought he was robbing me at first, then realized it had dropped to the floor and he was handing it to me.

‘You all right, lady?’ Pst, pst, pst.

‘Yes . . . yes . . . I’m fine. Thank you.’ I held on to the bag like Blusha. And as I hugged it/her, I had a shot of reality. What I was doing. The pathetic act of watching the person I loved, loving someone else.

Focusing on you both once more, the atmosphere between you had changed. You were now leaning in. Close to her. Listening intently. She was wiping beneath her eyes. I presumed tears. Which you gently brushed away with your thumb, then in a continuous movement placed some wayward hair behind her ears. A look between you. A look that had never passed between us. Which only ended when you opened your arms and beckoned her for a hug.

I folded in two with the pain you were causing me. My chest so tight I could hardly breathe. Once I’d straightened, I closed my eyes again. Blocked you out. I couldn’t look. I stayed there. Still. Blind and oblivious to what else was going on. Bracing myself for seeing the kiss. Envisaging it in my head, so it would hurt less when witnessed. Your mouth tenderly touching hers. Fingers entangled in her silky hair.

With a deep breath I reopened my eyes slowly.

Nothing was as imagined. You were both back to talking normally. Had stopped the torturous display of love. Whatever had caused that intensity had now made way for a lighter mood. The tears had been replaced with smiles and animated chat.