When they’d finished talking, Jeremy walked her down the road to the station so she could catch a black cab home. He was solemn, quiet, as they strolled side by side.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she said for the thousandth time, and felt fresh tears dampening her lashes.

‘It’s okay,’ he said heavily as they stopped on the concourse outside the station. ‘I don’t like it, but I understand.’

She reached up and hugged him tight. ‘Sorry,’ she whispered again. ‘I hope you find the one you’re looking for, I really do… She’s just not me.’

They held onto each other for a few seconds. ‘Take care of yourself,’ she whispered, and then they pulled apart.

‘Likewise,’ he said, then nodded her a farewell and turned and walked away down the hill.

Anna let out a shuddering breath. She watched him for a moment, then approached the cabby at the front of the taxi rank and gave him her address.

When she slammed her front door behind her, the first thing she did – before she even pulled off her coat – was phone Brody.

‘Anna?’

‘I just ended things with Jeremy,’ she said, and promptly burst into tears.

Chapter Forty-Five

BRODY LISTENED AS Anna outlined the events of the evening – the film, the bar, the goodbye. He didn’t say much, just let her talk.

‘I just feel so awful,’ she said forlornly. ‘I thought I was doing the right thing asking him out. I thought I was moving on. I didn’t mean to mess him around…’

‘You didn’t,’ Brody said. ‘Not from what I can tell. You were honest with him from the start, and no relationship is guaranteed, especially after just a handful of dates. If it didn’t feel right, it didn’t feel right…’

He tried not to notice the sense of lightness in his chest as he said this, tried not to feel pleased at all that bloody perfect Jeremy was out of the picture. He failed miserably.

‘And when you realized how you felt, you were honest with him, told him straight away.’

Anna sighed. ‘I suppose I did. I just feel so…’

‘Awful,’ Brody finished for her, and was rewarded with a little huff that he suspected was accompanied by a smile.

‘The strangest thing is, I thought I was ready. I thought I could find someone new, but it won’t ever be the same. Now I know I have to factor that in going forwards.’ She exhaled. ‘But the more I think about it, the more I realize that I’m a tiny bit relieved about that.’

‘Relieved?’

‘Yes. I can say this to you, Brody, because you understand, you know how deep the scars go when you lose someone that way. I’m not sure I want to love someone that much again, because how would I cope if it happened a second time?’

He sighed and nodded heavily, even though he knew she couldn’t see him. ‘You’re stronger than you think,’ he told her. ‘And I’d be here for you.’ He would always be there for her. ‘Don’t give up, Anna. You deserve to be happy.’