‘Not really. You don’t miss what you’ve never had.’

Fifteen minutes later, and after a quick stop-off at the local shop, they arrived at Steven’s house just as the snow was falling thicker and faster.

Shaking her hair free from flakes Tilly felt an instant wave of heat as Steven opened the door to his home.

‘That’s better.’ He pulled the door closed with a thud, put the bag of food down on the floor, unzipped his coat and slipped out of it before helping Tilly remove hers.

‘Looks like we are going to have a white Christmas.’ Tilly looked around the small living room. ‘I think it’s the first one in my lifetime.’

‘How come you’re still in Cambridge?’ Steven asked, picking up the bag and making his way through to the kitchen.

‘I can’t explain it, but I just know if I leave now, I’ll never come back.’ She looked at a photo that stood on the sideboard. It was a picture of Steven and an older woman who she presumed was his mother.

‘Nothing wrong with leaving the past where it belongs, if that’s what you need to do.’ He removed the packet of steak from the bag and threw it onto the counter.

‘Don’t you have plans tomorrow?’ Tilly asked joining him in the kitchen.

‘I think I’ll start packing up mum’s things.’ He took a knife from the block and ran it through the plastic packaging.

‘What will you do with this place?’

‘Put it on the market. An agent can deal with the sale. I don’t need to be here. I’d rather be on a beach in the sunshine.’ He smiled at her before removing a heavy griddle pan from a cupboard. ‘Why are you so interested?’

‘Just curious, that’s all,’ Tilly said taking a seat at the small bistro table that was near the back door.

‘Here.’ He handed her a bottle of Rioja. ‘Get that down you.’

‘I’ll be drunk as a skunk!’ She laughed.

‘I don’t mean the whole bottle.’ Steven handed over two glasses and a bottle opener. ‘Pour us both a glass.’

Tilly did as instructed and handed one to her host.

‘Oven chips okay?’ he asked while removing a bag from the freezer.

‘Absolutely.’ Tilly found she had a proper appetite for the first time in weeks and she looked forward to enjoying the fruity red wine with the red meat. ‘Thanks for offering to do this. It’s really nice of you.’

‘Not a problem.’ Steven had his back to her as he poured some frozen chips onto a baking tray.

‘Where’s the loo?’ The gin and tonic had gone right through her.