Chapter 15

We sat facing each other across a small table in the furthest corner away from the window. The table was my choice whilst Harper had waited at the counter for the coffees. Despite his assurances that it was just coffee, I didn't have the confidence to sit near the window and risk someone I might know seeing me having coffee with a man who was quite clearly not my husband. Although when he finally sat down opposite me, I could still see the row of taxis waiting outside over his shoulder and every now and then people would walk by the window, and I took comfort from the fact that refuge was not too far away should I need it. "You look nervous," Harper noted, swirling the wooden stirrer around the large mug. "Maybe you should have had a shortbread after all. Sweet things soothe the soul." I flinched, realising that my discomfort was plainly obvious. "Sorry," I said. "It's just I don't usually do this." "Drink coffee? Or drink coffee with a man you do