She stared at him across the table, challenging now, but he didn’t rise to it, seemed to diminish even further into himself. When the coffee arrived he looked so grateful she wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d stood to shake the waitress’s hand, though he didn’t. He just said a quiet ‘thank you’ and began to stir in several heaped teaspoons of sugar. Eva had already finished her cup, but she didn’t order another one. The waitress left. Quentin continued to stir.

He had said he was busy, but she couldn’t imagine him moving quickly or rushing through anything. In fact, what was it he’d said? We have so much work, was that it? Like what? Maybe she should have asked for ID. But obviously she couldn’t ask for ID now, that would be … It wasn’t the right time. Though it was worrying to think that she had no proof he was a scientist at all. Or that he was actually James Quentin.

He said something she couldn’t make out – her thoughts had gathered momentum in her head, and their volume seemed to drown out his words. Perhaps, if he went to the toilet, she could get a look at his wallet. Or was there some other way? She preferred a direct approach, but it seemed inevitable now that he was lying.

He started to speak again, and she listened more closely this time.

‘I, er …’

His spoon was still held in his hand, resting on the rim of his coffee cup. He looked tired, beaten down.

‘I loved her,’ he said, meeting Eva’s eye. ‘I loved your mother. But it was a long time ago, and she never loved me. I’m fairly sure about that.’

The cafe seemed to go quiet. He held his coffee cup gingerly to his mouth, took one sip, and then another. Placed it back down.

‘I really was – am – so sorry to hear. If I had known … Well, what can you do though?’ His eyes searched hers, as if she had any of the answers. ‘Probably there was nothing I could have done.’

‘She was ill for a long time. Years.’

He swallowed. ‘I could have seen her, then.’

She held his gaze, trying to force herself to see some deception in what suddenly looked like the most defenceless and innocent face.

‘Although,’ he smiled sadly, ‘I’m not sure if I would have come to see her. These things are easier to say with hindsight.’

‘Yes,’ Eva said. ‘It was a while ago. I am sorry. I should have called at the time.’

He nodded a bit, as if he wasn’t even surprised, as if he’d known that there might have been some other prompt for her to call him.

‘I looked it up, after you called,’ he said, eyes staring down into the dregs of his coffee. ‘So, I know when …’