“Sometimes it takes someone else to see what’s going on deep inside of you.”

Jane shrugged and held on to Annie’s hand a little tighter again. “Maybe I’ll have another go tomorrow morning.”

Annie knew that statement would signify the end of the discussion on Jane’s writing. They turned into a side street until they reached one of the leafy streets away from the main road, where it sometimes felt they’d left the city altogether, even though they were only a stone’s throw away from their house and the shop and the hustle and bustle of King Street.

Jane took in a breath in a way that, Annie knew, was the precursor to her having to say something that was difficult to express. She waited patiently for Jane to find the words.

“I’ve been thinking about last night’s conversation,” Jane said. “Which was necessary and very… civilized.”

We’re always civilized, Annie wanted to say, even when we fight, but she held her tongue and let Jane speak her mind.

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t still feel…” A few seconds passed. “I guess angry is the best word to describe it, even though it’s not only anger. It’s mixed up with jealousy and a sort of dread that reminds me of how I used to be when we first met, when I couldn’t believe a woman like you would be interested in the inexperienced, wet-behind-the-ears likes of me.”

Annie waited until she was sure Jane was done speaking. “What you feel is completely normal. Your life and your habits and routines have been upended. We both need time to adjust.”

“I feel like we have so much to talk about all of a sudden, whereas before life was just peacefully floating along. A state I much prefer to this one. I have so many thoughts in my head, I feel it might explode if I don’t get them out soon. On the other hand, I’m so bad at talking things through properly, I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Babe.” Annie pulled her close. “You’re not bad at anything. Having difficult conversations is hard for everyone. The kind where you have to expose yourself more than you’re comfortable with. You’re doing fine just now.”

Jane pointed at a bench by a small patch of green at the end of the street. “Let’s sit for a bit.” She looked around and Annie looked with her. The street was near empty, which was one of the great things of having Mondays off and going on a stroll like this. Most people were either at work or in school.

“One thing at a time,” Annie said after they’d sat down. “Let’s make a list to empty our heads, and then we’ll discuss one thing at a time.”