Kate’s words tumbled out in a jumble. ‘I think I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have gone. We should have talked more. I didn’t really think it through.’

‘No.’

‘What do you think?’

‘What do I think?’

Kate nodded.

Christopher took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know what to think.’

‘Could we try again?’ she asked. ‘Give it another go?’

Of all the things he thought might happen when he saw Kate standing on his doorstep, this one had never even crossed his mind. He tried to formulate words to respond, but could only say, ‘I don’t know, Kate. I don’t know.’

‘But it was me who left. You were happy weren’t you? With the way things were? It was me who made the mistake. Not you.’

‘I was happy with the way things were. At least I think I was.’ He looked reflective, as if weighing up the past situation. ‘Yes, I was. But that was almost two years ago. I’ve had to adjust. Get used to things being different. I don’t know whether I can pick up where we left off. Not just like that.’

‘But you would have me back; if it could be like it was?’

‘But how can it be like it was? I can’t just discount what has happened.’

‘You could if you forgave me.’

The words bit into him. They were designed to. And the truth of what she said sank home. Wasn’t she right? He had longed for her to come back; to be able to make a fresh start. Now she was offering the one thing he’d almost given up hoping for. A chance to avoid all those years together being wasted. Was it only his lack of forgiveness standing in the way?

‘Yes. If I could forgive you. But that would mean I thought it was all your fault. And it wasn’t. It was mine.’

Kate reached out for his hand, but he picked up his cup before she could reach it. ‘It doesn’t matter whose fault it was. The important thing is that we can carry on. Not as if nothing has happened, I know, but to make sure it doesn’t happen again.’

‘Do you think we could be certain?’

Kate sighed. ‘Nothing’s certain. But I really would like to give it a go. Wouldn’t you?’

Christopher got up from the table. ‘I don’t know. I need time to think. Time to get my head round this. It’s so completely unexpected…’

Kate rose to her feet and began buttoning up her coat. ‘Think about it. Please. I’m staying in the Hotel du Vin. I’ll call you.’

‘No. No, let me call you. I just need time…’