f*******n now from loving him, what felt like an irrevocable thought gripped her: I’ll never love another. You were the only one for me. The tragedy of that, the knowledge of how deep it went, pulled her eyes up to his. Search me if you like, she thought, knowing the thought showed on her. Search me, do your worst, do whatever you want, because it makes no difference now to me. I’m bereft anyway.
He stared at her. He was going to do it. As the moment grew and grew between them, she saw him decide that he would. She saw him change his mind. Then change it back again. And again make a reverse. Indecision danced forward and back in him until, finally, he dropped her gaze.
He turned to the others, gave them all a peremptory shake of his head. “Go on,” he said. “But ye’ll stay out of trouble
