We’ve become good friends. Aside from Nell, there’s no one I can really talk to about what I went through except for Oliver. Many nights we’ve spoken on the phone until the early hours. Pouring over everything again and again. He’s still at the Institute, still trying to make the world a better place, but concentrating on disease for now. He’s more cautious.

‘Will you carry on with your research into consciousness, one day?’ I ask.

‘I still can’t decide. I don’t know if there are some things we are perhaps better off not knowing.’ There’s a question in his eyes that I can’t answer. I shrug.

‘But,’ his face brightens, ‘we’ve had a breakthrough with our research into Parkinson’s. Every day we’re getting closer and closer to a cure.’

‘Clem would be proud of you but…’ I hesitate, not sure if I’m speaking out of turn. ‘She’d want you to step out of your lab occasionally and live. Perhaps even love.’

‘Eva did…’ His cheeks redden. ‘Eva did ask me out to dinner. There does seem to be some chemistry.’

‘You and your science.’ We both laugh. ‘Be happy, Oliver.’

‘You too, Anna.’

Across the pub I notice Nell gesturing at her wrist. I check the time. Not long left. I pick up a fork and tap my glass and when the room quietens, I begin to speak.

‘I couldn’t have got through this past year without the support of everyone here. It hasn’t been an easy decision to leave the home I shared with Adam, but I don’t want to be living in my memories, yearning for the life we almost had. I want to make the most of every precious second of the life I have right now. I feel…’ A hot lump rises in my throat. I take a sip of my drink to wash it back down before I can continue. ‘I feel Adam will be with Harry and me as we make our trip. The world trip he always planned. Following the route he’d mapped out. Visiting all of the countries he’d wanted to go to. It seems the perfect tribute to the man I love.’ I wipe the tears from my cheeks. ‘The man I will always love.’ I raise my glass. ‘To Adam.’

‘To Adam,’ is chorused back at me.

‘And Anna and Harry,’ says Nell. ‘To the adventure of a lifetime.’ Our eyes meet and I know she’s remembering making the same toast as we flew towards Alircia for the first time eight years ago.

It’s almost time for my taxi to arrive. There had been several offers to drive me but I’d declined them all, not wanting any emotional airport scenes. I had been there. Done that.