Lana had seen him the following night and the night after that. And on all three occasions it had just been about the sex – they hardly even spoke. As she silently got dressed on the third night, he sat up in bed watching her, smoking, an ashtray balanced in his lap. She waited for him to ask her if she’d be visiting the next night. But he didn’t. And in her head she reconciled herself to the fact that this was going to have been three mad nights in her life where she’d lost her footing, lost her mind, and given in to the insanity of this sordid, lust-driven force.

She was almost at the door when he said, ‘So you’re off home soon then?’

‘A week tomorrow, yes.’

‘Y’know I’m only back to Belfast for three days over Christmas. Holiday overtime here’s too good to turn down.’

‘And you’re telling me that because …?’ She knew exactly why, but she didn’t want to give him anything more.

‘I’m just sayin’. If you change your mind about going back to your wee fella for the festive season …’

‘He’s not “wee” – and he could give you a run for your money!’

She instantly reddened and was filled with regret, especially when he answered with a patronizing, ‘Oh. Sweet.’ Then he chuckled before saying softly, ‘Hey, come here.’

‘No.’

‘Come here!’ Firmer, but still smiling. And she felt herself being drawn to him again, like a steel pin to a magnet. She walked slowly over to the bed.

‘Closer,’ he whispered and she obeyed. He put his hand behind her neck and gently pulled her face towards his, kissing her delectably. His kiss, she hated to admit it, was out of this world. Then he took another drag of his cigarette and slapped her on the arse. ‘Now run along home and I’ll see you tomorrow.’

She stood her ground for a moment. Wanting to tell him where to go, wanting to tell him that this was the last time he would ever see her.

But she knew it wasn’t.

And so did he.

19

Catrin

When term had finished she’d agreed to go up to Northumbria and meet Sol’s parents for the first time. It was a terrifying prospect – she’d been putting it off for as long as possible, but now she knew there was no escape.

‘You know why, Sol!’ she’d said. ‘They’ll still be blaming me for Cambridge, won’t they!’

‘Cat, I promise you, they’re fine,’ he said, but Cat thought his voice faltered on the word ‘fine’.

‘Look, you’re not going to believe me till you meet them in person, are you? So let’s get on and do just that.’

Catrin’s own parents hadn’t helped put her mind at rest either. When they’d heard the full story about Solomon giving up a medical degree at Cambridge just to be with Catrin, Huw had made that annoying long whistling sound through his teeth and Liz had laughed and said, ‘That’s a hell of a sacrifice, love. I hope you’re worth it!’