Jess waited for him in the airport lounge. She sat in a vinyl chair and stared at her feet, at the other people milling around, at complete strangers hugging and kissing and crying. Later, she would say she knew something bad was going to happen. But that was impossible.

When Simon appeared, she leaped up out of her seat. She waved. He ducked his head, and tugged his suitcase along, eyes glued to the floor. She threw herself at him, and squeezed him tight. Her lips brushed his.

“It’s so good to see you! I missed you!” More squeezing. He felt stiff in her arms. “You must be exhausted. Let’s get you home. I’m cooking you dinner”

They barely spoke on the ride home. Well, he barely spoke. Jess fiddled with the radio and swore at other drivers. She asked him a million and one questions. Simon was very quiet. Tired from the trip, that’s what it is she said to herself.

He waited until after dinner. Jess was still eating. He put down his fork and cleared his throat. “Something happened…I did something…”