It’s soon after dinner time when someone rings the doorbell. She’s just had a phone call offering her a teaching post she interviewed for that morning, and even though it’s a step down, and she doesn’t start until after Christmas, she’s grateful for the chance to throw herself back into work. She’s already started preparing lessons, can picture herself back in the classroom, surrounded by chaos, noise and laughter. The thing she’s missed the most is the kids.

Mark is standing there when she opens the door, and she can’t help feeling that surge of guilt, even though everything is now out in the open. Both she and Rob are free to do what they want. ‘You shouldn’t be here,’ she says.

He smiles. ‘Why should we hide away? Don’t you think we’ve waited long enough?’

‘Probably, but this is still Rob’s house. You can’t come in.’

‘It’s your house too, and we’re not doing anything wrong.’

Abby remembers Mark rarely took no for an answer, even at school. He wasn’t aggressive in his approach. He just always seemed to know how to get what he wanted subtly, almost undetectably. Half the time she wouldn’t even realise he’d got his own way until much later. It was never important things, though, and she’d never have loved him if he’d been controlling. ‘Come in for a minute then. But you’re not staying the night. No way. Okay?’

Again, he smiles, offering a salute. ‘Sure. Your wish is my command, Captain!’

As soon as they’re inside, he pulls her towards him, his mouth hungrily searching for hers. She goes with it for a moment then gently pulls away. ‘Not here, Mark.’

‘I’ve missed you,’ he says. ‘These last few weeks have felt longer than the years we weren’t together. Is that crazy?’

Abby’s learned that nothing seems unusual any more. In fact, it’s normality that she has begun to question the existence of.

They sit in the kitchen, the back doors fully open, and she tells him about her new job.

‘That’s great,’ he says, kissing her. ‘Things are really coming together, aren’t they?’

She wants to believe this, and maybe she can allow herself to, but the only way to make this work is if she’s honest with Mark. It’s the chance for a new beginning, and she doesn’t want to blow it.

‘Do you feel like we really know each other?’ she asks. ‘We were so young when we met.’

He scratches his chin, and Abby notices stubble is beginning to shade his face. It makes him more attractive.

‘Yes,’ he says. ‘I feel comfortable with you. One hundred per cent.’

‘But we spent so many years apart and so much has happened – to both of us, I’m sure.’