There was a point when we were wandering along through Covent Garden when it felt like Alice was really listening. But it came back round to money, and how I was willing to give up everything that mattered just for the sake of a job, and that’s when I realised that we’re just fundamentally different in the way we see life.

‘And then what happened? I’m dying to know,’ Mel says, and I shoot her a sideways look because I can’t work out if she’s being sarcastic.

‘So where have you left things?’

I rub my jaw. It was weird. When Alice had ended things, I’d been pretty crushed. It felt like the one person who was supposed to get me, and understand why I wanted to do something that would make a difference, just didn’t. I’d been pretty devastated by it. And then she came back and I felt – nothing.

‘I think she wanted to give me another chance to change my mind,’ I say.

‘About her or about the job?’

‘Both. I think she was hoping I’d got the whole thing out of my system and maybe I’d just realise I’d made a terrible mistake. She did use the words “life crisis” several times.’

‘To be fair,’ Mel says, wiping coffee off her upper lip. ‘We’ve all used those words. Normal people don’t bin off a perfectly good law career to spend their lives wip—’

‘Fuck’s sake, Mel. For the millionth time.’

‘All right, don’t get touchy,’ she says. ‘I know you don’t just wipe people’s arses.’

I let out a sigh of irritation.

‘So, how did you leave it?’

‘I saw her before I got on the train down here. We had coffee at the station – she was off to a meeting – and we pretty much said our goodbyes.’

‘What d’you think triggered her change of heart?’

‘The wedding date thing, I reckon.’

‘So what happens now?’ Mel checks the time on the wall clock. ‘And make it the short version. I’ve got about fifteen minutes left before I have to scarper.’

‘Nothing. I get on with work, and get these assignments done.’ I point to the folders on the table beside us.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Jess

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jess

5th July

James is – exactly as Sophie said – absolutely charming, and even better-looking in the flesh. I get to Polpo five minutes late, hoping desperately that he’s the sort of person who turns up early, and that I’m not going to be sitting there looking tragic for half an hour and nursing a drink while the bar staff look at me with knowing glances. And I’m in luck.

‘Hi,’ he says, standing up as I arrive. He leans across, putting a hand on my arm, and kisses me on the cheek. He smells of something spicy and woody and sort of lemony. It’s nice.