‘And you don’t like what you see? With Green Futures?’

‘Oh no it’s not …’ she started, but realized she had replied automatically, not considering his question. ‘I’m still finding my feet, I guess.’

‘From where I’m standing, you’ve found them. You’re good at it, Hannah, but that doesn’t mean it’s what you want. You can be brilliant at something and never want to touch it again, or you can be shit at something and want to dedicate the rest of your life to getting better. Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.’

‘I didn’t realize my swim session came with a talking motivational poster.’ She smiled, showing him she was teasing.

Noah rolled his eyes. ‘I’m too serious, I get it. I just want you to be happy.’

‘Why?’ she asked softly.

‘Being happy is all that matters. Anyway, that’s it.’ He blinked, rubbed his eyes. ‘I’ve exhausted all my life lessons, and I’ve only done one length.’

‘How many are you aiming for?’

‘Twenty.’

‘I’ve done fifteen, so I’m going to get to thirty and then I’m going to the steam room. Bye.’ She grinned and then, before he had a chance to respond, turned and kicked off from the edge of the pool. She knew he was behind her: she could hear him in the water, feel the ripples that his movement created. But she was a fast swimmer and, despite his powerful, amazing body, she knew she could match him.

The third length they swam together. She reached the end of the pool a couple of seconds before him, and as she turned their gazes snagged. Noah’s eyes were so blue, his wet lashes inky black, and Hannah faltered. Her hand brushed against his under the water, and she tried to think back to their first meeting, to his complete lack of warmth, but it was no good; mid-swim Noah was a potent image to try and replace. By the time her brain had finished processing he was ahead of her, and she had to put all her effort in to catching up with him again.

She kept up her pace all the way to her last lap and then put her arms on the side, levered herself up and out, picked up her towel and walked to the door. She allowed herself one glance back. Noah still had a few laps left, and she could see the muscles in his back, his strokes easy and elegant. She poured herself a glass of water, downed it and went to the steam room, where the thick air smelt of eucalyptus.

Hannah sat on the bench and rested her head against the wall. She had said she was going to the steam room, but she hadn’t invited him to join her. Would he come? She closed her eyes, breathed in the scented air and let her limbs relax.

She heard the door open, heard the soft pad of bare feet on the tiles, felt the presence beside her. She opened her eyes.