Page 163 of The Honeymoon Affair

We stand looking at each other. We’ve run out of things to say. But I’m mulling over his words in my head and I can’t turn away from him. I remember once thinking that I was always the girl who gave in to men because I couldn’t say no. I’ve learned to be stronger and tougher thanks to Charles.

I’m vaguely conscious that Celeste has come out of the Bailey and is staring up the street. She sees me and waves. I wave back.

‘Everything all right?’ she calls.

I glance at my ex-fiancé. He’s wearing one of his vast collection of polo necks over faded denims. His eyes are the same arctic blue behind his glasses. He looks fitter than ever, if that’s even possible.

We had some good times and I’ve missed him. It’s been hard not to pick up the phone and dial his number. But I’ve stayed strong. And that was the right thing to do. All the same, I can’t help wondering if saying no to him is still the right thing to do.

‘Everything’s fine,’ I call back to Celeste. ‘I’m . . . I’m making a decision.’

‘Make the right one!’

I don’t know if I can.

I take the box and look at the ring. It’s the most beautiful piece of jewellery I ever owned.

I close the box again and hold it in my hand.

Today is unexpected. It’s also romantic.

Romance doesn’t endure. Love does.

I do love Charles, but do I love him enough? Would it be different this time? Should I take a chance? I don’t want my heart to rule my head. I don’t want to make another stupid mistake.

I remember how happy I was when I first put the ring on my finger. I remember how he’d laugh at me moving it in the sun so that the light reflected off the stones in a rainbow of colours. I remember how right it felt with him then.

It’s not about a ring.

It’s not about a house.

It’s about people.

Who we are.

I’m a different person to the one who first saw Charles when I should have been on my honeymoon. He’s a different person too. We’ve changed. And we’ve changed each other.

I wonder if he knows that. And I wonder if, as different people, we have a future together.

If it’s worth taking a chance.