Clouds were beginning to smear the pale blue sky and a strong breeze was starting to make it feel chilly. I was about to stand up to leave, when I felt the weight of someone sitting down on the bench beside me. ‘Hello,’ said a male voice that I didn’t recognize, in a way that suggested he recognized me.

I looked over at him curiously, trying to place him. He had blond curly hair and a pleasant, vaguely familiar face. ‘Hello? Do I know you?’

He smiled easily. ‘No. Not really. I moved into to your boyfriend’s flat.’

It took a moment for me to register that he was referring to Peter as my boyfriend. ‘Ah, yes, of course. Sorry about that evening by the way. It was just a bit of a shock to find he’d gone.’

‘I can imagine. And don’t apologize. I’m just glad you were OK. You worried me for a moment there.’ He nodded towards Elodie’s pram. ‘Presumably that was part of the reason you felt a bit faint, too?’

I bit the inside of my cheek, not entirely sure I wanted him to know that Peter was the father of my child. ‘Uh, maybe …’ I gave a vague wave of my hand, before changing the subject. ‘I’m amazed you recognized me, after all this time.’

He grinned mischievously. ‘I never forget a pretty face. And yours is prettier than most, to be honest.’

I smiled broadly. Clearly, I still had it. ‘Thank you.’ I dropped my eyes demurely.

‘So what brings you here today, sitting on a bench, staring up at my windows?’

I wondered whether to tell him the truth but something stopped me. It made me sound a bit weird. Like a stalker. ‘I was just out for a walk and needed to sit down. It was only when I looked up that I remembered that this was where Pe— um, my ex, used to live.’

He nodded. ‘And did you ever see him again, after he moved out?’

I laughed and nodded. ‘Well, yes, actually. Yes, I did.’ Our eyes met and we both grinned. He had a nice face, if a little bit haughty-looking. ‘It’s complicated.’

He squinted at me curiously, as if deciding whether to probe further. ‘But you referred to him as your “ex”, so presumably you’re not together now?’

‘Um, no. Not exactly. He’s still in my life … but as I said, it’s complicated.’

He nodded, apparently satisfied. ‘I’m not sure you ever told me your name?’ He raised his eyebrows quizzically as he spoke.

‘Bella.’

He nodded. ‘Of course it is. It means “beautiful” in Italian.’

If I’d had a pound for every man who’d used that line on me, I would be a multi-millionaire. But after so long, it felt good to have someone hitting on me again, so I smiled encouragingly. ‘It does indeed. And what’s your name? Bello?’

He laughed, showing straight, white teeth. ‘My name apparently means “brave lion” – I’m Leo.’