‘I’ve heard that a few times. Not very original. But true in my case.’

‘So you think you made a mistake? Looking back, I mean?’

‘Yes. Yes, I do. And I wish I could undo it all and start again.’

‘Well, there’s nothing to stop you is there?’ asked Erica. As she said the words she remembered her last meeting with Christopher and the look in his eyes when he had talked about Maria.

Kate looked troubled. ‘I don’t know.’ She picked up the plate of food and spooned a little of it into her mouth. Eventually she asked, ‘If I went to see Christopher, do you think he’d take me back?’

‘Oh Kate, I don’t know. Only Christopher knows the answer to that one. It’s been a long time…’

Kate pulled her feet up under her body and sat back in the chair. ‘What about you and Tiger? You’ve lasted the course.’

‘So far…’

‘That doesn’t sound very hopeful.’

‘We’re just going through a tricky patch at the moment. Nothing serious. At least I don’t think so. We just seem to be in different worlds, Tiger especially. He seems preoccupied. Somewhere else altogether.’

‘There’s nobody else is there? With Tiger I mean?’

‘Good God no! I think I’d know if there was. It’s just our age I suppose, and the fact that we’ve been together so long. It does make you take each other for granted. You do get used to things, perhaps not be as attentive as you used to.’

‘Better that than the alternative, believe you me. It’s probably just a phase. Probably something to do with work. It usually is.’

‘I suppose so. I wouldn’t like to think we’re going to fall apart. Not after all this time. It’d be such a waste.’ Then she realized her lack of tact. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean…’

‘Oh, that’s all right. I brought it all on myself and now I’m having to live with it. Anyway, where’s Tiger tonight? Off playing dominoes?’

‘No. That’s Friday nights. He’s away on business tonight. Has to stop over in Jersey or Guernsey I think. He’s coming back tomorrow.’

‘Does he go away a lot?’

‘It varies. Sometimes not for a couple of weeks, then he’ll have the odd week when he’s away all the time. Like last week.’

‘And you don’t mind?’

‘Part of the job. I do worry. About the flying. And I think about him a lot. But you’ve just got to get on with it really, haven’t you?’