‘It doesn’t change what we already know,’ she said softly.

‘I wanted to make you safe. Some guide I am!’

‘I am safe.’

He turned his head. ‘I wish I could see your face,’ he murmured.

‘It’s the same as always.’

‘No, it’s changed. You’ve changed.’

‘Perhaps. Let’s get warm.’

They lay down, pulling the blankets up and lying wrapped in each other’s arms, as close as possible, to share their bodies’ warmth.

‘If we could have got through on the phone,’ he said at last, ‘do you have anyone to call? I mean, anyone who’ll worry about you.’

‘Not really. I’ve only got distant family, that I never see. I don’t mean that we’ve quarrelled, but they’re scattered all over the country.’

‘Friends? Lovers?’

‘Lovers, plural? Don’t be cheeky.’

She imagined him giving her a quirky grin. ‘Just one, then?’

‘No, I’m done with love. It’s a bore and a waste of time.’

‘Ah, yes, you mentioned him before, the one who wanted “something to get hold of”.’

‘I thought he was delightful at first. He could make me laugh, and that’s a big plus.’

‘Yes, it is,’ he said thoughtfully.

‘And you’d know, wouldn’t you? Make ’em laugh and then it’s off to bed. I used to watch him at parties, looking around him like the beacon from a lighthouse, calculating how long it would take to bring them under his spell.’

‘And that-’ In his indignation he propped himself on his elbow. ‘You think I’m like that? It’s what you’ve always had against me, isn’t it? He treated you badly and I get the blame. Woman, may you be forgiven! But not by me.’

‘Don’t give me the innocent act,’ she chided. ‘You and him might have come from the same mould. I’ve seen you look around the room in the same way.’

‘I won’t deny that I’ve had my moments-’