They were sitting next to the roaring fire in a booth of Sam’s Bistro, located in an old stone townhouse not far from the market. Emma was finally starting to thaw out properly. It would have been lovely just to snuggle in a bit closer to Max, to feel his arm warm around her, but there was a polite inch or two between them, and something had shifted since their last weekend, two weeks ago.

Yes, she could have let herself get carried away with it all. He seemed a nice guy and the sex was seriously good. But there had to be more to it than sex. And was it worth all the dating, the getting-to-know-you stage, the shared lives, just for it all to go horribly wrong somewhere further down the line? Better to keep it as friends, and then no one needed to get hurt, she warned herself.

Max had bought her a hot, frothy cappuccino and he had a glass of Coca-Cola set before him on the round wood table.

‘So, are you feeling any better? A bit warmer now?’

‘Yes, thanks. And thanks for all your help.’

‘Are you okay, Em? You just don’t seem quite yourself.’

Emma looked around the room awkwardly. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Well, have you eaten this evening?’

She shook her head gently.

‘I haven’t had a chance yet either. I could get us some supper here,’ Max persevered.

Despite her stomach giving a little rumble of approval – it had been a long time since her midday sandwich – she felt uneasy. ‘Ah, sorry Max. I’m just so shattered, all I really want to do is to get myself back and crash out for the night.’ She put extra emphasis on the word ‘myself’. ‘I’ve got something in the fridge ready to warm up.’ Total lie.

‘Ah, okay. Fair enough.’ He seemed a little disappointed, his brow furrowed. He took a drink of Coke.

Emma sipped her coffee, focussing on the flickering flames of the fire.

Max shifted a little in his seat, his outer thigh touching hers by accident, lighting a little flame of pressure. Might this be the last time they touched each other? Emma felt suddenly sad. It was for the best, she told herself. Focus on her business, keep life simple, straightforward. She shifted her knee an inch back away, creating the void. Took another sip of her coffee.

‘How are things with your work?’ she asked.