‘I’ll make sure to recommend you,’ Hot Danish said earnestly to Aline, our therapist, as our last session drew to a close. I was already imagining his ill-timed recommendation to a couple-in-crisis…

We discussed the future during our last appointment. ‘We can’t say with absolute certainty that we will be together in 10 years’ time,’ HD said realistically. To which I responded with a dramatic sulk instead of focusing on the implication that he wouldn’t take me for granted. We were reminded to be responsible and to take note of our personal weak points in difficult times as well as how to deal with heated moments. ‘I’ll say I’m going to get cigarettes, but I’ll be returning,’ HD said.

‘What will you say to HD if you lose your job and can’t find work?’ Aline asked, expanding on my fears.
‘I will say that I won’t go back to London. I’ll stay and be a waitress if I have to,’ I replied.
‘There’s no need to go that far,’ Aline said.

‘To be honest [the Dutch are good at being honest] I didn’t think you would make it,’ Aline said.
‘I noticed,’ I responded.
‘Some couples are so caught up in their rows that they just can’t get out, but rows reveal passion which is better than coldness. When couples turn cold, there’s no hope.’

‘So now we’re a normal couple,’ HD said later that evening. I narrowed my eyes. ‘Oh but there’s nothing normal about you,’ he added smiling. ‘You’re special.’