As she spoke, Gregor’s demeanor changed.

“My what?”

“Your wife? Partner? She must have trouble sleeping too. Because of the baby.”

“You saw Constance?”

“Is that her name? What a lovely name.” What a lovely concept. There were no constants in Ruby’s life.

Gregor mumbled what he said next, but Ruby heard every word. “She’s not my wife. We’re not a couple.”

“Look, it’s really none of my business.”

“No,” he said, “it’s fine. I can see why you would think that. But she’s not—we’re not … I mean, we were. But.”

“What?”

“You know what? It doesn’t matter. It’s boring anyway.” He sat there, slumped over slightly. Then he straightened up and stood, turned toward her with a sad look on his face.

Ruby looked up at him. “Tell me,” she said. “I want to know.”

“No, you know what? I only just met you. It wouldn’t be fair. Seriously, you don’t want to know all the tedious ins and outs.”

“But how can you decide that? You don’t know anything about me either, yet.” Yet? What made her say that?

“I know that I like you.” He cringed. “I mean, in a friendly way. Not like … I mean not that I wouldn’t—Oh, shit.”

His cheeks colored instantly, redder than ever. Ruby looked away, embarrassed for them both.

“I better get back,” said Gregor. “It was lovely meeting you, Ruby. I hope we’ll bump into each other again one day.”

He took a step away. He was going to walk away, and she might not see him again. Having wanted to run away herself, Ruby felt suddenly desperate for him to stay. She said, “Gregor. Just tell me. I can decide myself if it’s boring, right?”

He seemed to think about it. Then he sat down.

“Can I trust you?”

“No, of course not. You only just met me.”

They both laughed.

Gregor said, “I think I’m a good judge of character. You don’t look like a gossip to me.”

“You’re right. I am confidentiality personified.”

She mimed zipping her mouth shut.

He let out a long sigh. “Constance is agoraphobic. We were together, but now we’re not. She still lives with me. That’s the short version.”

Ruby didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she started to speak. “And the baby?”

He smiled at the mention of the child.

“The baby—she’s nearly two now, so not really a baby—was conceived the night we met. It wasn’t supposed to happen. I never planned … it isn’t like me at all. I don’t usually do things like that.”

Gregor stole a glance at Ruby. His face was full of regret, embarrassment, hope for understanding.