“But…but why?â€? she cried plaintively. “Why would you even think of doing something like that? It isn’t right, it just isn’t right.â€? Gently, he took hold of the tea-towel she had been twisting and folding between her hands. She held firm.

“Have you…mentioned this to anyone else? Your friends? Work?â€? He shook his head mutely, but with no hint of shame. Letting go of the teatowel, he reached across the space between them and stroked her shoulder. Under his hand, her muscles were rigid, rejecting his gesture with every fibre. She moved away from him, angry and bewildered, but he followed her, his hand reaching for hers.

“I had hoped…I had hoped I wouldn’t be doing this alone. Please, think about it, I know I haven’t given you much time but couldn’t we…?â€? She stared at him, this man she thought she knew. He held her stare. The silence between them swelled and then shattered as the doorbell rang. And rang and rang.

He shrugged, affecting an indifferent stance that he was far from feeling.

“Well?â€?