Forcing a smile, I wished him the same and turned to head for home, praying he was going to go back inside the pub. My teeth chattered as I walked, although I wasn’t sure whether it was from the chill in the air or the one in my veins. Fear pulsed through me. Turning to look back, I saw he was still at the door, only just moving to go back inside. He’d watched me walk all the way down the road. It was creepy. I’d half expected him to try and follow me home and even though I knew he hadn’t, I kept looking behind me every few steps just to be sure.

As I turned the corner, I broke into a jog and was home in less than five minutes.

‘Blimey, hungry eh?’ asked Ben, who was passing the hallway just as I burst through the front door.

‘Something like that,’ I called, racing into my bedroom to remove my contact lenses. I couldn’t let Ben see. I don’t think he’d buy that they were for cosmetic purposes. Especially as I was wearing them to the gym.

The smell of garlic bread filled the flat, but I needed wine to calm my nerves before I ate. I sat, grateful Ben had already poured me a glass. It was harder to interact with Ian than I thought. Did he have a split personality? On the surface he appeared normal, a nice guy, but I knew it was a pretence. My brain ached trying to process it, but it had been a successful evening. Ian had asked me out, so I was one step closer and I had a few weeks to prepare myself to be alone with him, which I was certain I would need.

‘You okay, you’re quiet?’ Ben said, placing my pasta in front of me, breaking my thoughts.

‘Sure, I’m fine. This looks delicious, thank you.’

‘Just carbonara,’ he said, tearing off a chunk of garlic bread.

We ate, chatting about our day and Ben’s plans for Christmas.

‘I thought you were going to your mother’s?’ Ben dropped his knife and fork on the table. His eyes wide, he looked guilt-ridden.

‘No, she’s going to her neighbour’s house. Do you have plans then?’ My face fell. I knew Ben’s parents lived in Spain. Perhaps he was going to spend it there or with his sister? Stupidly I’d assumed we’d spend it together and I felt my neck flush.

‘Amy asked me to hers. I just assumed you’d be going to your Mum’s like last year. If I’d have known…’ he trailed off.

I knocked my glass accidentally, wine sloshing over the edge. Ben winced, looking everywhere but at me.