"But love isn't like that -"

"Love is exactly like that. People change all the time, because life alters them. The man and woman who fall in love are not the same people they will be when their first child is born, then their first grandchild.

"If the love lasts it's because they've struggled and adjusted to the endless changes. When the foundations move, they move with them, and so the love survives. It alters. After many years it looks different, but it's still there, and it's still love. Don't you see?"

"Yes," she said sadly. "I do see. And you're right."

"Well then -"

"My darling, please try to understand. I see everything you want me to see. But I can't do it."

Silence. Only the lapping of the water against the boat. His face was sadder than any human being's she had ever seen.

At last he released her and started the engine again. Soon they were skimming across the water. Gradually the airport came into sight, growing larger every moment, until he slowed and eased into the jetty.

In a few minutes she would be gone, and everything would be over. Her heart was breaking, but she had no idea how to stop what was happening.

Chapter Twenty

Riccardo carried her bags from the boat to the airport buildings and piled them onto a trolley.

"I'll say goodbye now," he said briefly.

"Won't you come with me to the check-in?"

"There's no need."

"You can't wait to get away from me."

"I thought it was you going away from me."

Justine made a helpless gesture. She was beyond speech.

"Listen, amor mio," he said, taking gentle hold of her shoulders. "I thought there was still a chance for us, but there's something in you that I can't get past – fear or stubbornness, or just that you don't really love me -"

"Don't say that," she cried passionately. "You know I love you."