It was the first time that either of them had said those words out loud. She knew she should respond but she was momentarily floored and simply gaped at him, mouth open wide.

‘Now I’m starting to think you’re ashamed of me,’ he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

‘Oh God, Freddy, you know I’m not. I… I love you too.’

‘Well I’m glad we’ve established that. So as far as I’m concerned, as long as we both know that, then does it matter who else knows?’

‘It does to me,’ Katie said. ‘I’m close to my parents; I’ve always been open and honest with Mum. I hate keeping this from her.’

‘So tell her.’

‘But I’m terrified about how she’ll react and Dad even more so.’

‘Do you want me to come back with you so we can tell them together?’

‘Noooooooooo.’ She shook her head violently. ‘Thanks, Freddy, but somehow I don’t think that would help.’

‘So why don’t you play it by ear? Get home for Crimbo, see how the land lies and take it from there?’

‘You do know me, right? You’ve seen the timetables on my wall and the daily to-do lists on my phone? I’m a lady who likes to plan.’

‘You didn’t plan this.’

She had to agree. ‘You’re right about that.’

‘And look, if you want me to tell my parents, I absolutely will. I’ve got no problem with that at all, okay?’

She nodded, pleased that they had made up, but the conversation hadn’t really helped her with her predicament. It just didn’t seem to bother Freddy as much as it did her. After they’d gone to bed, he had fallen asleep almost instantly and she had watched him sleep for a while, staring at his ridiculously handsome face and wondering how it was possible that something so wonderfully right could also feel so horribly wrong. She knew that, as much as she loved him, she would never be at peace until it was all out in the open, for better or for worse.

As she hurriedly dressed and grabbed her coat now, she gave Freddy a quick kiss and made for the door. ‘See you later,’ she said and he nodded as he rooted around in the piles of papers on his desk for his phone. Once she was outside, she ran full pelt until she reached the university building. She dashed up the stairs, making it to the lecture theatre in the nick of time. Catching her breath, she spotted Freya and made her way over, grateful to her for saving a seat.

‘Thanks,’ she said, throwing herself down next to her.

‘Fun night?’ Freya asked, taking in her dishevelled appearance.

‘Kind of,’ Katie said. Freya was about to probe further but their lecturer began talking. Katie quickly turned her phone on to silent and tried to concentrate on the lesson.

On her way out of the lecture theatre her mum called her. ‘Hey, love, just double-checking the arrangements for next week?’