He told Al that he would tell Amy the truth, and this is still his best plan: that, once he met Amy, the on-and-off relationship with his long-term girlfriend was simply no longer tenable and that he went to make an end to it. He can see that there are flaws in this story – that he has been deceiving both of them; that the day of the party was not the moment to rush away without explanation; that it’s taken four days to break up with this girlfriend – but he is relying on Amy’s feelings. She told him that she’s in love with him, they’ve made love, he’s come back to her. This is where he must start and he’s pretty sure that he can bring it off. He remembers that Al asked what he would do when his house-sitting comes to an end next week, but he can’t plan for that. He still has a romantic notion of handing in his notice and taking up photography, though, if he’s honest, he knows that it’s a crazy idea. Maybe he could sell the flat and fund himself through a training course.

Just for a moment there, at the station, it was uncomfortable with Al. His old friend was a bit cool; a bit off-hand. But the years of friendship won through. Al could see that things were tough, he gave him a one-arm hug and said: ‘Try not to be more of a prat than you can help.’ After that it was easier, and Al told him about the school reunion, and how some of them were planning more nights out together. He’d reeled off some names, including Melissa’s. Cosmo remembered Melissa, a very pretty blonde girl. He had a massive crush on her when they were both in the sixth form, and they enjoyed a rather romantic interlude during the summer before they went off to different universities.

‘Sounds fun. If I’m back in London by then, I might come along,’ he said casually, and Al said, ‘Great. I’ll keep you posted.’

Now, Cosmo drives in through the gateway and bumps slowly up the drive. The first thing is to make a plan to meet up with Amy. He reaches for his phone, thinks for a moment and then texts.

Back at last. Can’t wait to see you. Lots to tell you. Can you come over this evening? Really missed you. C XX

He waits for a moment but there’s no reply, so he gets out and goes to release Reggie. Cosmo bends to stroke him and then straightens to look around him. He hears a strange noise, rather like the baying of hounds, and then he sees a skein of geese in perfect formation flying eastwards. He watches them out of sight, sighs with pleasure at being back again, and follows Reggie into the house.