‘A love story,’ I had told him. ‘One with a happy end.’

‘A clichéd end.’

‘Happy,’ I had insisted, because ultimately isn’t that what we all want? It’s what I want.

Speedily, the nib of my pen scratches over the paper. I let it all pour out.

This is not a typical love story, but it’s our love story.

Mine and Adam’s.

And despite that day, despite everything, I’m not yet ready for it to end. I glance at my husband.

Is he?

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Oliver

Oliver has spent the night pacing the long corridors of the Institute. Checking his phone. Second-guessing what Anna’s decision might be. She stands before him now, exhaustion etched onto her face. As much as he burns to know her decision right away, she deserves to be treated with the consideration he had always shown Clem. With the care that Adam would give her if he were able to.

‘Let’s get a coffee.’

Noticing Anna struggling to keep up with his long strides, he slows. He glances at her. At Nell. Wishing one of them would say something.

It isn’t until she has her hands wrapped around a mug that she eventually speaks.

‘I’ve been going through it all. The risks. The danger of trying something that has never been attempted before. How my mum would feel if anything happened to me.’

‘Nothing could happen to—’

‘Please.’ Anna looks at him. Her eyes are bloodshot. ‘Let me finish.’

Oliver gulps his coffee, washing down the words he wants to say.

‘My dad… He died suddenly. Unexpectedly. It’s a great regret of Mum’s that she wasn’t there when he went. It’s a great regret of hers that in the period before he died, they were both so busy – he was a head teacher, you know – and they didn’t talk as often as they should have.’ Anna pushes the hair back from her face. ‘They talked. They were happy. It’s just… Mum said she had always thought that there would be lots of time when he retired for meaningful conversations. I think… I know she’d understand why I want to do this, and if it goes wrong… I’ve written her a letter explaining… There are things that have happened between me and Adam. Things I need to know.’

‘I don’t quite understand,’ Oliver says.

‘I’m going to say yes to the trial. But I’ll be the one connected to Adam, not you.’

Oliver’s stomach drops. ‘I’m afraid I can’t allow that.’ It isn’t only because this is his project. His dream. He now understands why Anna wrote to her mother and she is right to be cautious. There could be… consequences.

‘Then I’m afraid I won’t allow you to try,’ Anna says.