I don’t think they need to go to the bathroom. I think they just want to walk their indulgent grandmother past the chocolate machine, without their father knowing. I heard them whispering about it on the way here. They skip off across the café, Caprice trailing behind them.

So it’s just you and me, Miles. I look across at you finishing your chips. Your hair is drying in the heat, returning to its usual dark blond. The hair that I would love to run my fingers through.

‘How did you meet Saffron?’ I ask.

The best way to disguise feelings for a married man is to ask him plenty of questions about his wife.

‘I fell in love with her at university.’

‘I rather guessed that from the photograph in the hallway.’

You grin. ‘So you’re a detective.’

‘Not exactly. Standing together in degree gowns. It’s a bit of a no-brainer. I meant more the exact moment you met. What brought you together?’

His face softens. ‘We were in a tutorial. Just the two of us. The tutor introduced us. “Miss Filby,” he said. And I looked across. Miss Filby was quite simply the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. As the tutorial progressed I realised she was also the cleverest.’ He shrugs. ‘We bumped into each other at a party that evening, and we’ve been together ever since.’

‘It’s funny how it works so quickly sometimes, isn’t it? As soon as you see someone you care about, you just know.’

‘You speak from the heart.’

I look into your warm eyes. ‘Yes.’

‘Do you want to tell me your story?’

‘No. Not right now. It’s an ongoing situation.’

You raise your eyebrows. ‘Well good luck with it then.’

‘I need it.’

‘Things happened fast between my mother and father too,’ you say.

‘She misses him – doesn’t she?’

‘Very perceptive. Yes.’

You lean across the table and put your hand on my arm. My stomach jolts with pleasure. Your eyes cloud. ‘She’s vulnerable. And we all need to be supportive towards her.’

We are interrupted by Caprice, Harry and Ben coming back. As you turn to greet them you pull your hand from my arm.

‘I want ice cream,’ Harry demands.

‘Say please then,’ Ben insists.

‘Please. Please. Please.’

‘My treat this time,’ I say as I leave the table.

I know Caprice saw you touching me. She’s looking at me. What is she thinking? She must disapprove of me. If Caprice disapproves of me, I’m stuffed. She’s the powerhouse around here.

52

Caprice

You were back so late last night after gallivanting in Hereford, that your family hasn’t seen you over the weekend. Not a glimpse. You are a shadow of a mother. A ghost.