‘Antwerp as in Belgium, yes.’

‘And what did you say?’

‘I said I’d go and do a recce mission out there. She’s flying me out at the end of the week. Just overnight.’

His face puzzled over what I’d said. ‘You’ve already agreed to fly out there? That’s cool that they’re interested but … you agreed without talking to me about it?’

‘It’s just a research trip.’ I shrugged. ‘I haven’t taken the job or anything.’

An old man tutted as he tried to move past us. To be fair, we were taking up the aisle.

‘That’s … wow. Well, congrats. But … I don’t feel great that there’s not even a conversation about all this. Go, and everything, but I’m your boyfriend, remember? I’m happy they recognize that you’re amazing but this feels like the kind of thing that could affect my life, too. Have you been avoiding me? Why haven’t you wanted to talk about this?’

That was a fair thing to ask. ‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘I’ve been a bit in my head. I don’t know. Mum said that thing when we had lunch there and it’s just made me wonder—’

‘Since when do you listen to your mother?’

‘I don’t! But when she said it’s no good leaving one relationship and jumping into another I just think … I don’t know. Not that she’s right, but …’

‘So now you don’t want this?’ he asked, his tone shocked. This wasn’t going the way I wanted it to at all. Everything was coming out wrong. Having blown cold from hot with him for the past few days anyway, there was apparently a lot he wanted to get off his chest – which he was entitled to.

‘Of course I want this,’ I said. ‘But I kind of see her point, that’s all. I planned my whole life around Alexander. I haven’t learned anything if I start to plan my life around you, now.’

‘I see. I didn’t realize that’s how you felt.’

‘I need to at least consider this opportunity, don’t I? You would never ask me not to.’

‘No,’ he replied. ‘I wouldn’t. But also, if the shoe was on the other foot I wouldn’t explore moving anywhere, let alone abroad, without talking to you first. Do you see the difference? I know this is new, Annie, but I thought it was pretty serious …’

I moved aside as a mother and her child reached across to get to the dried pasta.

‘You and me,’ he continued. ‘It’s been good, hasn’t it? This could really be something. If you want to move to Antwerp for a job you love then okay, cool, let’s talk about it. But ten minutes ago you were all for quitting the stupid job.’