‘I’ve had an immense few days, Jude,’ said Gareth as they began the amble back to the house.

‘Aw, me too,’ she said. ‘Thanks for coming. I still can’t believe you’re here!’

And there was an easy silence between them as they walked along – alone save for an occasional hooting owl and a multitude of stars to keep them company.

When they arrived home, the others had gone to bed and they talked in whispers as they made hot milk and honey in Sofia’s well-organized kitchen. She’d left them a plate of delicious almond cookies, still irresistibly oven-warm. They sank down into the vast sofa, sitting at opposite ends and dipping their cookies into their steaming drinks. Gareth slouched, just like he did at home. And Judith sat with her legs tucked in beneath her – just like she did at home. Both so comfortable in each other’s company.

He was aware she hadn’t asked him about Lana for the whole time he’d been there. She was so considerate like that, was Jude. But he felt he owed her some kind of explanation now.

‘You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to,’ she said.

‘I know that.’ And he paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. ‘It’s over, Jude,’ he said gently. ‘Well and truly. I owe her a favour really, her doing that Our Tune thing – it put it all in perspective.’

‘It was a pretty spectacular gesture, Gar,’ she said, blowing on her milk to cool it down. ‘Incredibly romantic.’

‘D’you think? I found it all a bit … cheesy. Didn’t you? Be honest now.’

He could see Judith struggle. He was testing her loyalty, which wasn’t really fair.

‘Oh I dunno, it was very Lana,’ she replied diplomatically.

‘Yeah, maybe that’s the problem. Lana’s not very me any more. Don’t get me wrong, I wish her all the best an’ that, but life’s moved on.’

‘I see.’

‘And there’s something else,’ he said, unable to look her in the eye.

‘Go on,’ said Jude, taking little sips of milk like a thirsty cat.

How could he tell her? He had no choice now other than to dive in, throw a grenade and smash the status quo. Say it. Say it!

‘Well, I’ve … You see, there’s … someone else now.’

Judith choked a little on her milk. ‘Sorry,’ she said, spluttering. ‘Is there?’

‘I know this is difficult for you, because Lana’s your best friend and, y’know, of course I’ll be straight with her, like, I will tell her … I just wanted to talk to you first.’

‘Why me?’ she asked, frowning.

This wasn’t going well at all. He tried a different tack.

‘You’ve been so good to me, Jude, so kind and, y’know, just there for me, and we’re sort of … well, we’re good friends now, aren’t we? Despite a rocky start, like.’

‘Er, yes,’ she replied cautiously.

‘Thing is, I kind of … well, I kind of love you,’ he said, his nerves strangling any emotion and making it sound like he was informing her that the kettle had just boiled.