She and Zak didn’t hold hands, there were no lingering looks over the cappuccinos they’d enjoyed, nothing like that. Still, it was cosy, friendly and a lot of fun. Then they’d driven home, separately, after a chaste kiss. And Lauren didn’t want to share that with Jude.

In fact, she wanted him to believe that she’d had a thoroughly miserable time by herself while he was busy being married and duty bound. Besides, it wasn’t fair on Zak. She didn’t want Jude to think that there was anything in it and possibly jeopardise Zak’s career prospects at Happening Today.

On Monday morning, Lauren was deliberately late for work. She knew that Jude would be in early, looking for her, trying to snatch some time alone. It was a pattern she was well used to.

Defiantly, she kept herself busy and surrounded by other people all morning and she hadn’t answered Jude’s emails either. It was childish, but there was no doubt that it gave her a certain sense of satisfaction. Whenever she looked up, just to glance in Jude’s direction, it seemed that Zak was looking at her.

She couldn’t thank her friend enough for coming to her rescue this weekend, and the Sunday they’d spent together was, Lauren was sure, more relaxing than it would have been with her lover. Jude would have been constantly checking his phone and watching the clock, anxious not to miss his appointed departure slot.

At lunchtime, she’d dashed out to the sandwich shop on the corner and, just as she entered the door to join the queue, she’d felt a hand on her arm.

It was Jude and he was out of breath. ‘I’ve been calling you,’ he panted.

‘Really?’

‘You didn’t hear?’

‘No.’ She hadn’t. To be honest, Lauren had been back on that open-top bus in Bath with Zak.

Jude hung his head. ‘I thought you were deliberately avoiding me.’

They joined the queue.

‘Would you blame me if I was?’ Lauren asked.

‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘I’ll make it up to you. Anything. All you have to do is ask.’

‘Leave your wife,’ she said flatly. ‘That would work for me.’

‘I’m trying to,’ Jude insisted. ‘It’s not that easy.’

‘If you can’t get away for a weekend, how are you going to leave for ever?’

‘I have to choose my moment carefully,’ Jude said. ‘Georgia’s very fragile.’

‘You forget that I’ve met her,’ Lauren reminded him. Fragile, Georgia was not.

Jude looked exasperated. ‘I am putting things in place, Lauren. Please believe me. One day we will be together.’

‘Don’t leave it too long, Jude,’ she warned. ‘Or I may not be waiting.’

‘Tonight,’ he said. ‘I’ll come round tonight.’ Then, lowering his voice, ‘God, I want you.’