He kissed his fingertips, like a happy chef. It really was breath-taking, and I let being somewhere foreign wash over me. Mere hours ago I was waking up in an empty house in London, Carol already across the road with Lenny and Dash, in the middle of a fight with my boyfriend and my ex-fiancé and counting down the days until I moved, not to mention the money in my bank account barely enough to cover first and last month’s rent on wherever I needed to move to. And now I was here, in Antwerp, with a handsome man who was almost offensively attractive for a colleague, and a sense of adventure pulsing through my veins. Was my ‘maktub’ moment the fact that, right on cue, I was potentially able to move countries, and move homes? It would be one hell of a fresh start. If I got a promotion here I’d be able to afford to live on my own, and Adzo had said I’d get a relocation package to help me get up and running, meaning it wouldn’t even cost me anything to set up afresh. Old Annie would never have got on the plane and explored moving to another country. Being here proved I’d changed. Australia, and Patrick, had made sure of it.

Patrick.

I was so mad at him for expecting me to be adventurous, but only once I’d consulted him. Our terse texts were so unlike us, but both of our feelings had been hurt. I hated the confrontation, but somehow knew it was important. I’d never stood up for myself with Alexander. I had to with Patrick, otherwise what had it all been for?

‘About that coffee,’ Jules said, interrupting my reverie. I turned my attention back to him. ‘This is the tourist haven. Let me show you my Antwerp …’

I trotted after him as he strode ahead, glancing back to get one last look at the square. Patrick would love it here, I couldn’t help thinking.

‘Now,’ Jules said, slowing so that we could walk in step. ‘We must look out for number sixteen.’

‘Number sixteen?’

‘Yes. This is Oude Koornmarkt, and at number sixteen we’ll see a sign to the Vlaeykensgang. I think you’ll love it.’

‘You’re doing pretty good as a tour guide,’ I observed. ‘This is all gorgeous. I am really, really impressed.’ I looked up just in time to see a faded blue sign hanging from an elaborate wrought-iron pole. ‘Oh!’ I exclaimed. ‘Sixteen!’

‘Right this way, then,’ Jules demurred, holding out an arm to let me go ahead.