It was the Monday morning following Mark's disappointing date with Clare. As she was checking over some paperwork with Bob, it now gave Alan chance to talk it over with Angie.

"It was dreadful' Angie said. "Mark passed her in the corridor this morning and he wouldn't speak."

Alan raised his eyebrows.  "Why did she run away?"

Angie sat down on the chair by Alan's desk.

"She gets strong emotions come over her, like a tidal wave. There's nothing she can do about it. It happened just as they reached the Restaurant. All she could think of was Hal, and she thought 'What am I doing here with Mark'? She let go of his arm and ran. A taxi was passing, she flagged it down and came home, leaving Mark looking stupid outside of the Restaurant."

"Yes," said Alan, grinning wickedly, "I can vouch for that."

"Trust you to say that." said Angie, drumming her fingers on the desk. "I suppose Mark will get over it?"

As Angie left his office, Alan stood up and gazed out of the window. The woman in the blue Kia Picanto was attempting to park her car in the cul-de-sac. He often saw her and she was amusing to watch. He'd witnessed her scraping a Jaguar and knocking one of the bollards. It was amazing that she'd ever passed her driving test.

The sun was streaming through the window and Alan adjusted the blinds and then sat down at his desk. He felt sorry, knowing Clare was still struggling. He'd rid himself of Marie much quicker, but then it hadn't been love at all, just pretence. Clare, on the other hand, had loved her husband deeply, often calling him 'the love of her life.'

On Thursday evening that week, they were all switching off their computers and tidying up at the end of the day. Alan went out to say good night to the 'guys', but before he left he turned back towards Clare.

"I'm going to the Cinema tonight," he said "and I wondered if you'd like to come with me?"

She was digging about in her handbag and she looked up at him with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Oh, I don't know." she said.

"Come on Clare, please come. You can't stay in forever and I don't like going on my own." Alan pleaded. Clare looked across at Angie, then back at him. A sinking feeling told him that she was about to say no.

"Oh, all right. I'm not doing anything else." she replied. "Yes, I think I'd like to."

"Thanks Clare, you'll be doing me a real favour." he said, winking at Angie as he left the room and he floated home on Cloud Nine.

Alan was happy to be going to the Cinema with Clare. He loved her more with each passing day and just to be near her was all he wished, for now at least. They sat at the back of the Cinema on the end of a row and he was able to sit up close with his hand across the back of her seat. She smelt fresh and flowery. Marie's perfume was intoxicating, he remembered with disgust. He'd never liked it much and now he hated it. It was Poison, just like her.

The film started. It was an enjoyable comedy and they laughed together. However, 40 minutes into the film Alan felt very sick and had to rush out to the Gents in a hurry, leaving his jacket behind on the seat. After ten uncomfortable minutes, he came out of the Gents and found Clare waiting in the corridor with their belongings.

"I'm so sorry Clare, I've ruined the evening now."

"It's not your fault. I feel sorry for you." she replied. "You look terrible."

"Thanks for the compliment!" he said.

"That came on suddenly. What is it?" she asked.

"Oh, it's migraine, I've got horrible yellow flashing lights in my eyes."

"I'd better drive then. Is that okay?" she asked.

"Yes. I couldn't drive, it's agony." He furrowed his brow as he handed her the car keys.

"This is getting to be a habit, don't you think?" Clare remarked.

They walked out of the cinema and into the car park. Alan struggling to reach the car. They climbed in and Clare strapped his safety belt. She started the engine and they set off.

"This is a lovely car, Alan, I could get used to this." she said.

Alan couldn't speak and only just managed to give Clare directions to his new apartment, peeping out of half closed eyes to see where they were going.

On arriving, Clare parked the car and they walked up the stairs to Alan's apartment. He grabbed some tablets from the cabinet in the en-suite bathroom and then sprawled across his double bed. Clare helped him remove his shoes and socks, and take off his sweatshirt. Feeling to ill for any embarrassment, he undid the zip of his jeans, wriggled out of them and threw them onto the floor. Now, wearing just his black boxer shorts he slipped into bed under the duvet. Clare offered him the tablets with a glass of water, but he shook his head and said in a thick voice "I feel too sick". He vaguely heard Clare's voice then knew no more. He closed his eyes and fell into a fitful asleep.

Predictably, Angie laughed when Alan told her. They often had secret chats about Clare. She would have been furious if she'd known, but they felt it was justified as they had Clare's best interests at heart.