‘Why don’t you go and have a shower?’ he suggested. ‘Freshen up. I’ll bring in your case and you can get changed, eh?’

Donna nodded gratefully. The journey from Liverpool had left her feeling a wreck.

Five minutes later she was standing under a hot shower, letting the water cleanse her inside and out. As she picked up the bar of Lux and began to soap herself all over, it occurred to her that Alan had probably used it to do the same thing. The actions became almost lazy then. She breathed in deeply. The scent of him was everywhere, even the tang of his cigars was all around her. She closed her eyes and let the water run over her face, allowing it to wake her up, to give her back some of her energy.

Finally, she soaped herself between her legs, luxuriating in the feeling. It had been too long since a man had touched her there . . . Drawing her fingers back as if they were burnt she hurriedly finished her shower and wrapped herself in a large white towel. Then, picking up a hand towel, she folded it like a turban around her head.

Donna stared at her reflection in the mirror over the hand basin. She looked good, she knew that. Her skin was glowing from the hot water and her eyes were glittering like black diamonds. It was at times like this she missed Georgio more than ever. She had always been a healthy woman, and craved sex at times like other people craved chocolate. It was the only time she was truly connected to her husband. Breathing deeply, she turned from the mirror, pushing both Georgio’s face and Alan Cox’s out of her mind.

Spotting a large black bathrobe hanging on the back of the door, she slipped it on, folding up the bath towel and replacing it over the heated towel rail. Her eyes scanned the bathroom to make sure everything was neat again and then she slipped out of the door. As she saw Alan standing in his bedroom she felt a flush creep up her neck and face, the heat making her feel faint with embarrassment.

‘I brought you in a cup of coffee; your case is on the bed.’

They stared at each other for a long moment, Donna realising that there was something in Alan Cox that called out to her. Suddenly she knew why they argued so much, why they couldn’t get along.

The insight was a revelation to her. No longer meeting his gaze, she smiled tightly.

‘Thanks. I won’t be long now then I’ll get myself off home.’

Alan took his cue and walked from the room.