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‘but I must admit playing truant would be just what the doctor ordered. We’d better not leave together – I’m sure you don’t want to start up any rumours at this point, any more than I do. How shall we do this? Perhaps if you leave first, and wait outside in your car, I’ll come out afterwards and follow you in mine.’
    ‘I don’t think I can handle the goodbye bit,’ said Fraser. ‘I know it sounds pathetic. I just want to disappear.’
    Angela thought for a moment. ‘I think I have it,’ she said. ‘I’ll pretend I brought an umbrella, and can’t find it. I’ll create a bit of a commotion which will engage our hostess, and you can make your exit. How’s that for a conspiracy?’
    Fraser felt grateful to this kind stranger – she might look a little unusual, but she seemed to understand what he needed. What had she said about being on her own? He hadn’t taken much notice, being too preoccupied with his own feelings. He felt he had been churlish, when she was being helpful. He made a mental note to ask her more about herself when they got to the pub.
    Angela left, and then Fraser started to move in the direction of the door to the hall. He had almost made it when Margaret appeared and accosted him.
    ‘Where are you going?’ she asked. ‘Not leaving yet, I hope.’
‘Stop stalking me!’ replied Fraser. ‘I’m just looking for the little boys’ room.’
    ‘I can show you,’ and she started to follow him.
    ‘It’s perfectly alright, Margaret,’ he said rather huffily. ‘I’m sure I’m old enough to find it on my own. You wait here and I’ll be back shortly.’
    The next minute he was in the hall – where he could hear voices raised – and then he was out of the front door!
    Once they were settled in a reasonably quiet corner with their drinks Fraser asked, ‘Have you been on your own for long?’
    ‘Two years,’ she replied. ‘I won’t insult you with platitudes about time healing. The fact is it goes on hurting, but I suppose I’m gradually learning to deal with it. It will better when I’ve been back to America where we were living and all the ends have been sewn up. I shall be going shortly, I think. What about you?’
    ‘It’s almost two months for me, and it hurts as if it was yesterday that she died – perhaps even more. It was so sudden, you see – there was no warning.’
    ‘There was none for me either,’ she replied. ‘And I’ll tell you something – I shall never get close to anyone again. Friends, yes – they help a lot in times of trouble – but a close relationship, no, never again.’
    ‘So you don’t subscribe to the “It’s better to have loved and lost than never…” sentiment?’
    ‘Absolute trash!’ Her response was surprisingly vehement for someone who had seemed so gently spoken.
    ‘I feel exactly the same,’ he replied. ‘There’s no way I’m going to go through this again.’
    ‘Tell me what you do with yourself. Are you still working? What do you do?’
    ‘I’m in kitchens,’ he said, simply. Instead of trying to prompt him further she looked at him with a smile, and waited. Fraser felt compelled to go on. He told her how his father had died when he was very young, and how he had always loved making things. ‘I did a City and Guilds course in design. Then I joined a kitchen company. But it wasn’t very satisfying working for someone else – I couldn’t control things, and the complaints were mostly justified. I didn’t like that. I wanted to run a business with the priorities I believed were important – I don’t like fobbing customers off with promises that can’t possibly be kept. So I managed to break away, and set up on my own. At first I worked from home, and did absolutely everything myself – finding the customers, ordering the supplies, and installing the kitchens. Gradually my business grew enough to take on a partner, but apart from John, and a girl to do the books, that’s as far as I ever wanted it to go.