‘What’s happened?’ Instead of being angry, his eyes are wide with worry. It reminds her of the first time she met him. It had been a Sunday afternoon and she’d been walking back from the beach, her hair still wet, sticky and salty, her bag weighed down with the latest manuscript she’d been reading. She was dreading going home to the flat she’d shared with Laine, who had a very healthy sex drive and extremely messy living habits. A couple pushing a pram stopped abruptly in front of her and Penelope had tried to sidestep around them when a shooting pain clipped her heel.

‘Arghh!’ she’d shrieked, turning to see a man quickly swinging off his bike to see if she was all right.

‘I’m so sorry,’ he’d said, his eyes just like they are now, wide and concerned. ‘Are you okay?’ He bent down to examine her ankle that he’d clipped with his bike wheel.

Penelope had been lost for words. For a moment Ty hadn’t said anything either.

Zap! Just like that they’d connected and the whole universe looked different.

Now, when Penelope doesn’t answer, Ty asks, ‘Is it cold feet?’ His voice is still gentle, but she knows it won’t last for long. ‘We can postpone if that’s what you want?’

She shakes her head, her voice escaping her.

His face falls. ‘What have you done?’ He sounds terrified.

Penelope knows what he’s implying and partly wishes all this was about her stuffing up and sleeping with somebody else.

‘Whatever it is, Pen, we can work things out. It’s not as bad as you think.’

If only that were true, but there’s no way to work through this confession. Penelope can see his concern and can’t stand to look at his winter-crisp blue eyes, all vulnerable and willing.

‘I forgive you.’ He urges her to look back at him and the moment she does, she immediately regrets it. ‘Just talk to me.’

Part of Penelope is furious he thinks she’s cheated on him but another part loves him more for being so understanding. She wants to tell him everything. She wants to let him take her in his arms and hush her while she breaks down into relentless sobs of fear and anger and sadness.

‘Penny! Please, talk to me?’ He’s on the verge of breaking down. He reaches out and touches her, but she shakes him off, causing his face to drop.

‘Ty, it’s over.’ She sounds firm, stronger than she feels.

‘This is bullshit.’ He’s frustrated, his anger building. ‘Our wedding is booked. We sent out save the date cards.’

Penelope’s relieved that the formal invitations haven’t been sent yet. They’ve been ordered, but she’ll have to try and cancel them. ‘I’m sorry.’