12.7

Max stepped back, intuitively regaining time and distance.

Although the question was entirely unexpected, he immediately saw an opportunity to wrestle some control back off the old man.

Surely he can’t claim to know the answer to this question.

Mate… even you don’t know the answer!

In fact, there was no answer.

But the question hung in the air. And when Max looked into the eye of the old man – searching for a little comic relief – there was none to be found. The look in the old man’s eye had firmed up – he is serious.

Mate…

He wants an answer!

In terms of love – great love, real, enduring love – there was little to find in Max’s past. Max’s past was a kaleidoscope of disappointing moments and lost opportunities. Great love, real enduring love, required commitment. And amongst those who knew him it was no secret – Max had failed to commit.

Mate…

He needs an answer.

There was one woman who had interested him more than others.

Kirsten.

She was an unlikely possibility – a woman he’d only barely met. Sure, she was one he’d definitely liked more than most, but equally, she was one he’d barely had time to know at all.

Say her name.

Fate had ripped Kirsten away from him before they had a chance to even approach love. She was a woman so incidental to his life that no one would ever guess her name – the perfect choice –

“Kirsten.”

For a moment Max thought he had the old man.

But that moment was short lived –

“Look,” Shard said, pointing to his hand.

Max slowly opened the crumpled ball of paper.

There it was –

26

Mary

58

0

Kirsten

The old man was glowing with pride.

Max was speechless.