‘Adam?’ She raised the cup to her lips, sipped a drop and lowered it again. ‘I’ve been thinking and I don’t have time for too much of that. Can I ask you something?’

‘Er, yes. Looked in a mirror lately? Seriously? Who wouldn’t? You’re a very beautiful, very charming girl.’

She closed her eyes, coloured a little and nodded, then gathered her thoughts and her courage. ‘Will you…’ she hid her face in her hands, then took them away and blurted it out. ‘Will you be my lover?’

‘Regina!’ I hissed quietly, yet scoldingly, ‘My wife… That’s not funny… not fair,’ but I’d known she was going to say that, however ludicrous it sounds now. She never flinched. Her sincerity was obvious, but it was an affront to my grief, devotion and loyalty.

‘I mean it, Adam. I’ve been thinking about it ever since this afternoon. I’m going to die - probably on my own, probably soon. I want someone I can trust to… so I’m not alone. I want the time I’ve got left to be special. I really like you. You’re sweet… sexy too. I know it’s not the best time… for you… for either of us, but… Do you believe in fate?’ I shook my head. She simply continued, ‘I’ve always thought things are laid out for us, that there are paths marked out for us to follow. Everything happens for a reason. Look. I was lonely, afraid, and you were there. You’re lonely too and you found me. You need someone… to make you feel good, feel alive. And I need someone…now… who can make me feel whole, feel like a woman…or I may never get the chance. We were brought together. We may never get another chance to be happy, either of us.’

‘I’m very flattered, honest I am… tempted too,’ I breathed in through pursed lips, trying to lighten the moment, ‘but…’

My cock was screaming: ‘But what? What? Don’t fucking say no! You’re going to say no, aren’t you? Oh, for fuck sake!’

‘I… I can’t. Sorry, sweetheart,’ but she wasn’t going to give up and, to be honest, I was glad.

‘What if I told you I was a virgin and wanted deflowering before I died? My dying wish. Wouldn’t you help me then?’ She pouted in her sad little girl way and I was hers. I was all but hooked. She saw my face flush. ‘Hey, you randy old bugger! That turned you on, didn’t it!’ It did, but I didn’t admit it. I found it hard to speak.

‘Am I what? A virgin? Five years in care and you think I might still be a virgin? Fuck off! I’ve been on the pill since I was fourteen.’ The refectory was empty but I still thought she was talking too loudly.