‘So it’s time to assert yourself?’ he suggested with a tentative smile.

‘I’m afraid that makes me sound disagreeably self-absorbed.’

‘Not at all. It makes perfect sense from what you’ve told me of your life with Colin.’

‘But, Ellis, he’s not entirely to blame. I can’t ignore the fact that I allowed myself to be that person with Colin, the one who always tried to keep the ship on an even keel, no matter the price. For the most part, that’s what mothers do, we perform an endless dance on the tips of our toes for fear of making a situation worse.’

‘That sounds like you’re blaming yourself for being abused by your husband.’

She cringed. ‘Don’t use the word abuse, it sounds so sordid.’

‘If it wasn’t abuse, what would you call it, then?’

She pursed her lips. ‘I call it making allowances for the father of my children.’

‘I’m sorry, Naomi, but that’s not making allowances, that’s making excuses for the man who struck you when he couldn’t control his temper. You wouldn’t countenance that behaviour from either Tom or Rick with your daughters, would you?’

She shook her head sadly. ‘You’re right, but please, let’s not drag all that up from the past, not now. It’s the future that matters and your moving in with me. If you still want to. If I haven’t spoilt everything between us.’

‘Are you absolutely sure that’s what you want?’ he said. ‘Won’t you still feel you have to justify the situation to your daughters? Won’t you still feel just as harried?’

‘No, I don’t believe I will because things will be less complicated between us.’

‘And dare I say, less permanent?’

‘Please don’t think that. I genuinely want us to be together for ever.’

‘But only on your own terms?’

He didn’t mean to sound as sharp as he did, and he could see she was hurt by what she clearly felt was an accusation.

‘I’ve upset you, haven’t I?’ she said.

‘Yes,’ he finally admitted. ‘I’m disappointed. I like the idea of marriage with you. I don’t even really know why. It just felt right when I asked you. Now I’m not sure what to feel. Perhaps I’m more committed to our relationship than you are.’

She sighed and slid her hands across the table to hold his. ‘That’s not true. I love you, Ellis, and I can’t think of anything I’d like more than to wake up lying next to you every morning for the rest of my life.’

‘Will you still allow me to buy you a ring? Or is that a complication too far?’

Before she could answer, their waiter approached with their lunch. With painful slowness, the lad set down the plates and various dishes of vegetables on the table, managing in his awkwardness to knock over the small vase containing a single pink carnation.

‘It’s fine,’ said Ellis, picking the vase up, ‘don’t worry about it.’

Stammering an apology and looking as though his day couldn’t get any worse, the lad escaped as fast as he could, only nearly to collide with a waitress carrying a tray of drinks for another table.