A couple, quite clearly in love come giggling along the path and sit down on the bench next to us, cuddling up close. Pigeons settle and peck around their feet, searching for leftover crumbs. Usually, I love this part of London, down by the river, away from the crowds. I never tire of the ever-changing shape of the skyline and the unsteady blade of the new Millennium Bridge that, after its rather shaky start, cuts cleanly across the river carrying tourists to the uncompromising block of the Tate Modern. It’s my standard lunchtime escape in summer when the deadlines and headlines of My Baby all get too much. Today the view washes over me and fails to add any levity to my heavy spirit.

‘Jake doesn’t know the whole story,’ I say with a sigh that’s taken by the wind.

Pip moves his head closer to me and stares into my eyes with a look of concern.

‘I met someone else in Nepal,’ I continue flatly.

Jake’s friend says nothing.

‘I thought that I could never love anyone as much as Jake,’ I confess, pulling my collar up against the winter chill. ‘But I was wrong.’ I let my mind wander, thinking about Dean. ‘It’s very easy when you meet someone wonderful.’

‘I know,’ Pip says.

‘Oh yes?’ I grin at him. ‘Something you’d like to tell me?’

‘Not particularly.’ Pip unlinks his arm from mine and lays it casually across the back of the bench. For a moment, it looks as if he might stroke my hair and then his hand stills.

‘Come on!’ I nudge him in the ribs. ‘Have you met someone too?’

‘Yes.’ He sighs heavily.

‘And is she wonderful?’

‘Oh yes,’ Pip says. ‘I think so.’

‘How long have you been seeing her?’

‘I’m not exactly seeing her,’ Pip admits. He shifts uncomfortably on the bench. I smile to myself. Men are so pathetic when it comes to discussing their own emotions. Although I have to say, Pip is better than most. It’s quite funny seeing him squirm. ‘We’re just friends.’

‘But you’d like it to go further?’

‘I’d love it to.’ Pip scratches at his stubble. ‘But I think it’s unlikely.’

‘She must be mad!’

‘Oh, she probably is,’ Pip agrees. ‘She also happens to be in love with someone else.’

‘That’s always tricky.’

‘Yeah,’ Pip continues, ‘but I’ve only just found that out. I was labouring under the illusion that there might be room in her life for me one day.’

‘Bummer!’

‘And if that isn’t enough,’ Pip says, ‘my best mate is head over heels for her too.’

‘Lucky lady,’ I say. ‘She must be very special.’

‘She is.’

‘But where does that leave you?’

‘I have absolutely no idea, Lyssa.’

I give him a kiss on the cheek. ‘You’ll work something out,’ I say. ‘You’re utterly gorgeous. How could she resist you?’