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door was wide open and she noticed that the pillows were plumped and there was a new duvet on the bed she’d never seen. It was one she wouldn’t have tolerated on any bed of hers, all chintzy flowers and Laura Ashley tweeness.
    She wondered if Huw had decided to change the bed linen along with her, but that was just being dramatic. It was more likely that his mother or her ‘little woman’ had come over and changed it. Either that or he couldn’t bear sleeping in the same sheets they’d shared. Maybe he wanted to move on… or was there a chance he was regretting what had happened?
    She tossed a few paperbacks and trinkets into the box, then set to work on the wardrobes. Her jewelry casket was the only other thing left. She knew what she’d see if she opened the lid, so she just stuffed the casket on top of the box. Finally she took her shopping bag and went into the sitting room. It was silent but for the somber ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. Carrie had never liked the clock; it was an ugly old thing, shaped like Napoleon’s hat, but it had been in the sitting room forever so she hadn’t had the heart to get rid of it. There was only one thing she really wanted: a photograph from the sideboard. It showed her and Huw goofing around in mortarboards and gowns on graduation day.
    â€˜Carrie.’
    Her heart beat faster at Huw’s deep voice but she didn’t turn round.
    â€˜You promised to stay out of the way,’ she whispered.
    â€˜I know I said that. I stayed out as long as I could, but we had a problem with one of the cows.’
    â€˜Which one?’
    â€˜Millicent. She’s got mastitis. I’ve just left the vet with her.’
    It never ceased to amaze Carrie that Huw, unromantic and businesslike in every other respect, knew each of his four-hundred-strong herd by name. She had to fight the urge to sympathize with him; her emotions were so raw that their shared concern over the cow might well set her off.
    â€˜She’ll be fine, though?’
    â€˜Of course.’ Finally she faced him. He was taller than she’d remembered, even in his socks. She knew that his wellies, caked in mud, would be abandoned outside the door. His thick straw-colored hair hadn’t seen a comb and there were darkish blue shadows under his eyes, almost the same shade as the overalls he always wore for farm work. He also had cow muck spattered across his face, which for some strange reason made her heart lurch with a perverse longing for him.
    â€˜I know I said I wouldn’t bother you, but I had to come in and see how you were.’
    Her heartbeat quickened. Could he be trying to holding out an olive branch? Then she saw his grim expression and knew there was no hope. She clutched the photo frame tighter. ‘Oh, I’m fine. Never been better. There was a bit of a wobble recently after my fiancé broke off our engagement, but apart from that, you know, life’s hunky-dory.’
    â€˜I suppose I deserved that, but you know I do care about you. I didn’t just make this decision on a whim.’
    â€˜Didn’t you? Oh, silly me. Here I’ve been thinking you just rolled home after your stag night and told me to piss off out of your life. I hadn’t thought it might be a whim.’
    She could see he was trying desperately to be patient with her, which infuriated her even more.
    â€˜I know you’re upset, Carrie, but this isn’t helping either of us.’
    â€˜Upset? I’m not upset. See, I’m already over it.’ She hoisted up the shopping bag. ‘I’ve collected my things and moved out of your life, just like you wanted. You don’t mind me taking a few bits and pieces, do you?’ she added sarcastically.
    Huw shook his head. He looked like a great big shaggy hound who’d peed on the carpet. Guilt and shame dripped from every pore. She so badly wanted to hate him, but it was no good. It