She crossed the dance floor, moving in between all the dancing couples. There was her father, dancing with Molly. She hoped that he had had a good time and that the last few days had really brought him out of his shell. He certainly deserved it. People would be talking about the big party at the Bay Hotel for years.

She reached Rob and held out her hand. ‘Dance?’ He said nothing, but took her hand and followed her onto the dance floor. They were so close that she could hear his breath moving in and out, short, halting breaths. He could probably feel her heart beat. They didn’t really dance, but just moved slowly in each other’s arms. There was no awareness of the music. It could have been a fast song, it could have been a ballad. It didn’t matter. Elle knew in her heart that this was the last time she would be held by him and she closed her eyes, soaking it all in.

Rob remembered holding Elle another time, like this, in this very room. They had been alone then. He remembered the familiar way the rest of the world had seemed to recede when they were together. She had smelt the same then as she did now, a hint of vanilla rising from her skin, something sharper behind it. It was just her, so oddly familiar even after all this time.

He was also aware that this didn’t mean anything, that it was just a peace offering of sorts, a way to say goodbye. Having her so close was almost dangerous, though. Rob felt as though he might burst at any moment. It was too much, having her so close, yet knowing that it was for the last time.

At the song’s finish, he gently moved away from her and kissed her very lightly on her cheekbone. Then he left and waited outside for the party to finish and Celeste to come out.

Not a single word had passed between them.

Elle spent the rest of the night feeling as though she had been mortally wounded, and then was expected to carry on talking and laughing, as though the very life wasn’t pouring out of her.

How Rob must despise her. He couldn’t even talk to her. He had held her with the barest of touches, as though he couldn’t stand to be near her. And that kiss . . . it was his way of saying goodbye, she knew it. Goodbye, all the best and have a nice life.

She didn’t know why she was so surprised. After all, he was with someone else now. He had made it perfectly clear that he wanted to be rid of Elle.