It was only about six feet from Patrick’s and the champagne was already there on ice.

Pierre made a big deal out of opening it, hoping to entice some of the other diners into ordering the same thing. It was Cristal and Kate sipped the bubbling liquid nervously. She was sitting opposite Patrick and they glanced at one another surreptitiously.

Michelle knew something was up and looked behind her.

‘Do you know that woman or something?’

Patrick coloured. ‘I know her slightly.’

Michelle laughed. ‘I think you know her a bit better than slightly, don’t you?’

He nodded.

Willy sipped his champagne and watched Kate’s face. He was sorry now he’d brought her here. Kate looked at him and shook her head.

‘I’m sorry, Willy, I have to go.’

She stood up and walked out of the restaurant. In the foyer she went straight into the ladies’ room. She leant against the sink, her face burning with humiliation. She looked at herself in the mirror.

She looked good, she knew that, but no one could compete with the girl Patrick was sitting opposite. Poor Willy. She had walked out on him in front of everyone.

Why on earth had she decided to come?

She splashed some cold water on to her face to try and calm herself down. She put on a film of red lipstick and walked from the ladies’ room.

Patrick was waiting for her.

She looked straight into his eyes.

‘Hello, Kate.’

‘Patrick.’

She felt as if a hot mist was gradually filling her head. His closeness was making her feel physically ill. She had to use all her willpower not to reach out and touch his hair, the lines of his face.

She looked down at the floor, unable to face him.

‘How are you?’

‘Fine. And you?’ Kate marvelled at how normal her voice sounded.

‘All the better for seeing you.’

Her eyes dragged themselves to his face of their own volition.

‘I’ve missed you, Kate.’

Patrick was doing what he’d sworn he would never do. If she walked away now, he would feel humbled and humiliated for the rest of his life.

Kate looked into his face.

‘Really?’

‘Really. I love you, Kate.’

‘What about Titsalina in there then?’ She gestured with her head towards the dining hall. ‘Do you love her as well?’

Patrick felt a moment’s euphoria.

She was jealous.

Kate saw his smile and regretted the words immediately.

‘No, actually, Kate, I don’t. It’s you I want. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t even bonk since we split up, if you must know.’

Kate laughed. Patrick could be so comical. Here he was begging her to have him once more, and it had been her fault they had split up in the first place!

‘So what are we going to do?’