She hasn’t got the nerve to tell him they’re about to be homeless and need to move on again, not when she knows he likes the apartment and being by the sea. But the fact is, she can’t afford a place anywhere like the one they’re in. She’s come clean and told her family about leaving Trent and finding Jamie, and her dad has lent her a few thousand to keep her going until she gets settled, but the rent prices have rocketed. She’s asked Trent for an update on exactly how much money will be left to divide once he’s paid off the loan, but he’s yet to give her an exact figure, or a date as to when she might expect it.

But this is her problem to work out. And not one she can share with Matteo.

Halfway along by the café on the lawns, they stop and lean on the green balustrade, taking in the view. The water is a shimmering pale turquoise green streaked with pink where the waves are breaking. The horizon is a dusky purple blending to the softest blue above, the old burnt-out pier picked out in gold relief from the setting sun.

Matteo has suggested that they stay in touch and try and carry on their relationship when he’s in Barcelona, but Maddy knows they’re both grasping at straws. He needs to find the right woman and to start a family. And he needs to do that sooner rather than later. And he can’t do that with an older lover in tow. She’s told him as much, but he refused to hear it. But Maddy is old enough and wise enough to know what distance will do.

‘I’m going to have to go soon.’ He checks his watch.

‘I know.’

‘Listen. Why don’t you stay here? Wander back in your own time? It’d be nice to think of you here. I don’t want to leave you in the apartment.’

‘OK, maybe you’re right. I don’t want to be sad on Jamie.’

In their new mode of complete honesty, she’s told Jamie all about Matteo and they’ve met properly, although whilst both of them were charming, Maddy found it embarrassing. Seeing Jamie and Matteo together only emphasised the age difference between her and Matteo. It didn’t help that afterwards Jamie jokingly called her a cougar. She tried to explain that Matteo had been a friend first, when she’d needed one most, but all the time he’d had a playful twinkle in his eye and she could tell that he wasn’t going to take her seriously.

‘I don’t want you to be sad, full stop,’ Matteo said. ‘It’s not goodbye. We’ll see each other.’

‘But not for a while and I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. I am sad.’

He kisses her and she holds on to him as tears make her chin tremble.

‘I don’t want to say goodbye.’

‘Then I shall say it. Adios, my lovely neighbour.’ He puts his finger under her chin. ‘Take care of yourself.’