‘Fair enough. And?’

‘And nothing. That’s it, story over. Told you there’s nothing to get excited about.’

‘Nah, that’s not it. There’s something else you’re not telling me.’ Sasha manoeuvres herself between me and the exhibit, forcing me to make eye contact with her.

I let out an exasperated laugh, realising there’s no way I can put the blinkers on her.

‘I might have bumped into him in a bar after work.’

‘And?’

‘And he asked me why I didn’t call…’ I tail off as the memory starts chasing round my brain again.

‘AND?’ Sasha looks like she’s about to take off. ‘Lex. Will you just give me the whole story without me having to force every last bit out of you?’

I groan in surrender. ‘I met him again in a bar when I was out with my workmates. He asked why I didn’t call, and I said I’d been busy.’

‘But why reject him again if you obviously like him? The first time I understand, but you were a few weeks into things here. As you said yourself, you don’t dwell on the past. So why not have one date? See if the spark was real.’

I pick at a loose thread on my cuff, not wanting to admit the truth. Or say it out loud. I could try to maintain it was about Dom, but what would be the point? Sasha would see right through that facade.

‘Lex?’

I exhale theatrically, eyes to the ceiling. ‘I did it because it was for the best. I did him a favour, Sash.’

‘How was that doing him a favour?’

‘Because who would willingly take on someone in my situation? Dom verbalised what everyone else must think. Why would anyone knowingly sign up for a relationship with someone who’s already broken – at this age? And for whom they would eventually have to become the main carer. Who, Sash? Tell me who.’ I can feel my eyes start to sting with emotion, so I look away quickly to hide it.

Sasha seems genuinely troubled by my monologue. It’s clear that she wants to tell me that I’m wrong, and that it doesn’t merit a second thought. But the thing about Sasha is that she really can’t lie. And I’ve got her in a headlock (metaphorically speaking).

‘So, there you go.’ I shrug and return to picking at the thread on my top. ‘I did him a favour. He’s an active guy. Second time I met him, he got on the train at the Lake District after completing a three-peak challenge – that’s a thing, in case you didn’t know.’

‘I’ve heard the term before.’

‘Someone like Matt needs a woman who’ll join him on that kind of adventure, not hold him back.’

‘Matt. That’s a nice name.’ Sasha links arms with me and guides me towards a large wall-mounted infographic.

‘It is. And?’

‘I don’t know. It’s a name that makes me think of a kind, genuine person. Someone who’d care more for others than himself. Who’d perhaps be a bit hurt if he knew why you gave him the cold shoulder.’