‘It doesn’t matter,’ he interrupted. ‘It was far too soon, I get that now. I’m… I’m withdrawing my proposal. We can pretend it never happened. Let’s just enjoy being together for now. It’s been good, hasn’t it? The carriage ride, the Spectacular. This evening has been awesome.’

He leant closer, resting his forehead against mine, his eyes brimming with fear and hope. ‘We’re good together, Bea. Without any more crap getting in the way. We’re special, you and me. We’ve been through too much to—’

‘No.’ I shook my head, my fringe creating static against his skin. ‘The past can’t dictate whether we stay together in the future.’ I gripped his hand tighter. ‘Whatever happens, it’ll never take away from what we meant to each other.’

‘Mean to each other,’ Adam said, his voice choking up. ‘Bea, I love you more now than I ever have. Please give us this chance. Please, just a bit longer…’

He tipped his chin up, mouth desperate as it found mine, knowing precisely how to position itself so that we fitted seamlessly together.

For one bittersweet second I allowed his passion to press against my lips. The scent of him like a touchpaper to my skin, I breathed in and once again fought the temptation to take the easy route, at the very least to delay breaking the heart of this man, knowing the agony of what it had felt like every time he’d broken mine.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I whispered, pulling away and ducking my head. ‘I have to say no.’

‘No to marrying me, or to all of it?’ he asked, not bothering to wipe away the tears.

‘We can’t drag it out when we know what the outcome is going to be.’

‘You might change your mind,’ he pleaded. ‘I’m happy to take that chance. To wait, no pressure. You’re worth waiting for, Bea.’

‘You know I can’t string you along like that,’ I said, my resolve strengthening. ‘I’m sorry, Adam. This is goodbye.’

‘What changed?’ he asked, voice breaking.

‘Me, I suppose.’ I shook my head. That wasn’t quite right. The least I owed him was honesty. ‘Or, maybe I simply got a clearer idea of who I am and what I want.’

‘And that isn’t me.’

‘I’m not the right one for you, not really.’ I took his hand again. ‘That song. It’s been watched by millions. People love it because it speaks to them. It hits right to the heart of their own fears and the dreams they wish they dared to believe in. You can’t give that up for me.’

‘I can. I already have! Don’t make it about that, Bea. I can live without music. I can’t live without you.’