I lean back in my chair and look at you, your sculptured face spoilt by a frown.

‘Why do you want to know about Miles and Julie?’ I ask.

You bite your lower lip, and I wish I was kissing it. ‘It was just something your mother said.’

Mother. Causing trouble again. But in this case, trouble that suits her younger son.

‘What did she say?’ I ask as casually as possible.

You look bereft. Your eyes pool with tears. I want to pull you towards me and comfort you.

‘She said that Miles was heartbroken when he split up with Julie. He was envious when she got together with you. That he still has feelings for her.’

Good one, Mother. Why didn’t I think of that?

You lean across the table. ‘Please, Aiden, tell me – is it true?’ you ask, voice cracking.

I take a deep breath, to slow things down. To give me time to think.

‘I’m not sure it’s fair for me to comment.’ I take a sip of wine, holding your eyes. ‘What has Miles said?’

You put your knife and fork together and push away your plate of untouched food. I finished my steak and chips ten minutes ago. The waitress sidles over. ‘Was the food not to your liking?’

‘Fine thanks,’ you reply, voice clipped. ‘I’m just not hungry.’

She takes our plates away.

‘What has Miles said?’ I repeat.

‘That they split up amicably. They were growing apart anyway. They never really fancied one another so by the time he was about to leave for university, splitting up was an easy decision for them both to make.’ You pause. ‘But I mean if he was, and still is interested in her, he wouldn’t want me to know, would he? That’s why I need your take on the situation.’

I swig my Bourgogne Aligoté and put my glass down. ‘Look, I don’t want to cause trouble.’

You lean further forwards and put your hand on my arm. You don’t usually touch me. Electricity jolts through me.

‘I’m not asking you to cause trouble. I just want the truth. If Miles was in love with her, he may be attempting to bury his feelings, to protect me.’

I tap my fingers on the table.

‘I just need to know what happened between them, I can’t just sit and wait to be hurt. The sooner I know, the better,’ you push.