And she didn’t like the change, not at all.

When the car stopped in King’s Park, he helped her out then raised her hand to his lips and kissed it formally. ‘Welcome to Perth, Mrs Saunders.’

She’d rather he’d kissed her lips. She’d rather he’d not had that abstracted look in his eyes. Oh, you’re such a fool, she told herself. Will you just stop wishing for the moon. ‘Can we have a short walk?’

They strolled along towards a lookout perched on the edge of a small cliff overlooking the city and widest part of the river. Below them was a freeway buzzing with traffic and beyond that a wide stretch of water. What looked like a ferry was moving slowly from one side to the other.

Megan linked her arm in Ben’s and spoke with determined cheerfulness. ‘This must be one of the most beautiful locations for a city in the world.’

‘I think so,’ he said quietly, nodding at it as if greeting an old friend. ‘I’ve grown to love it.’

But she wished he hadn’t spoiled the moment by glancing at his watch.

‘I’ll bring you up here again one evening, Megan, so that you can see the city lights, but at the moment, I need to get to the hotel. Apart from the fact that it’s about to pour down, I’m expecting a few messages from New York.’

‘When are we going to your house in the country?’

‘Our house, now.’

‘Sorry, our house.’ But it wouldn’t feel like her house until she had seen it. And she didn’t really want to go to another hotel. It seemed very important that they have a real home together. ‘When can we go there?’

He hesitated. ‘Well, in a day or two, perhaps. I have some people to see first. In the meantime, I expect you’ll enjoy going round the shops.’

She let out an exasperated puff of air at his tone, which seemed more suitable to a child about to be consoled for something by new toys. ‘Actually, I’m not mad keen on shopping.’

‘Wonders will never cease! A woman who’s not obsessed by clothes.’

That did it! She let go of his arm and faced him, hands on hips. ‘I don’t appreciate patronising remarks, thank you very much.’

‘It wasn’t—’

‘Oh, yes, it was! And it’s worse if you don’t even know when you’re being patronising. Not all woman are obsessed by shopping, you know.’ She led the way to the car at a smart pace, not even looking behind to see if he were following.

They got back inside in dead silence. His face was expressionless and he sat down at the opposite end of the seat with plenty of space between them. As they drove along he made no attempt to bridge the gap.