I nod, feeling ashamed. Does he find me unattractive? Am I overweight? I thought I was fairly normal. My chin wobbles and I tell myself not to cry.

He turns me around to face him and lifts my chin. ‘I love you,’ he says, kissing me.

My heart stills. My chin stops wobbling. Love? He’s said the L word.

‘I love you too,’ I breathe.

He pulls back, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. ‘My angel,’ he says.

I laugh. I like being called that. ‘Oh god!’ I exclaim. ‘The dinner!’ I race for the door. I’ve forgotten all about the chicken.

By the time I pull it from the oven I can see it’s overcooked. The sauce has all dried up and the skin is scorched. Damn. Liam comes to stand by my shoulder. ‘That looks like a dog’s dinner,’ he says glumly.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say, almost bursting into tears.

He doesn’t speak for a while and I can tell I’ve disappointed him. I turn to face him. ‘I really am sorry. I wanted it to be perfect.’

He finally smiles, though it looks forced, and strokes my cheek. ‘It doesn’t matter. We can get takeaway.’

‘Really?’ I ask, still downhearted.

He nods. We order an Indian takeaway and eat it by candlelight. Liam’s phone dings as I serve up. I glance at him, wondering if it’s work, as he’s often on call. ‘It’s the app,’ he says. ‘It lets me know if there’s motion at the back door.’

I frown. ‘What’s at the back door?’

‘The cat,’ he answers.

‘Tiger?’ I ask, rushing to the back door. ‘How did he get outside?’ He’s only three months old. He can’t be let out yet and I’m strict about making sure he stays in.

I open the door and find my little orange cat, meowing pitifully in the cold. I scoop him up and bring him inside. ‘How did he get out there?’ I ask.

Liam shrugs, spooning curry into his mouth. ‘Must have escaped somehow.’

I frown. ‘My poor love,’ I say, cuddling the cat against my body for warmth. ‘He’s freezing. I’m so glad he didn’t run off.’

Tiger slinks around my chair, rubbing against my ankles. Liam looks at him with a scowl. I don’t think he likes cats as much as dogs. And Tiger must sense it, as he’s taken to spitting and arching his back whenever Liam comes too close.

After dinner, Liam takes me by the hand and, without a word, leads me upstairs. My breath catches. We’re going to make love. I’m so nervous; I don’t want to upset him.

‘Do you want a shower?’ he asks when we reach the bedroom.