‘After all these years, we’re finally friends, which is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t let myself dare to believe we could be more than that, then have to go back to seeing you with him, shrinking yourself to fit his life, trying to be interesting and fun and cool enough for him to put you first this time. It kills me to say this, when you’ve just told me that you don’t hate the idea of marrying me, but please don’t ask me to be the thing that makes you feel better in between Adam.’

I sat back on the bench, in utter shock. It was impossible to process this when my head was spinning, my heart galloping inside my chest.

I took yet more deep breaths.

‘For a long time, I was in love with Adam. At least, I loved how he made me feel. Beautiful. Precious. Not like the family misfit. But for a while now, probably a lot longer than I realised, what I loved was the memory of how we used to be. The dream of what we could be. And, especially these past couple of weeks, I’ve realised that none of those things were that great. You’re right, about me making myself smaller so he could fit me into his life, while at the same time never feeling quite enough. And then you turn up and… and make me believe that who I am is already enough.

‘I can be myself, without ever feeling scared or ashamed about what you see. And I want you to be completely and utterly yourself with me. The you that loves order and compassion and sensible trousers and who hides behind that robot mask because you’ve learnt that too often people don’t understand you, and so they don’t even bother to try.

‘I want to understand you, Henry. Because the more I see of you, the more I find myself falling in love with you. You are the best man I’ve ever known.

‘Adam couldn’t come close to you. And even if he did, he’s not the man I want. Every second I was with him, all I could think about was you. To be honest, every second I’m not with him I can’t stop thinking about you, either.’

I reached out and fumbled for his hand. ‘I literally just sat there in front of my family and abstained. You are way too much of a super-science-genius not to figure out how serious I am.’

‘Okay.’ He turned towards me, giving my hand a reciprocal squeeze. ‘That speech was very lovely, but you’re right, I can’t deny the significance of the vote.’

‘So I’ve convinced you we’re worth a go?’