flippant question ran through his blood like a current of fire.

‘It had some of the elements of success, our relationship,’ he replied. ‘It — might have come off.’

But he paused before concluding the last phrase. Even as he began the sentence, he did not believe in what he was going to say. He knew it never could have been a success.

‘No,’ she replied. ‘You cannot love.’

‘And you?’ he asked.

Her wide, dark-filled eyes were fixed on him, like two moons of darkness.

‘I couldn’t love YOU,’ she said, with stark cold truth.