It was Belle’s birthday. She invited us all to go to the cinema with her.

While we were queuing to pay for our tickets, I noticed a poster for a post-film pub quiz. I was keen to take part in this with everyone else. However, the end time was too late for me: my last train home left long before 10pm.

I wondered out loud whether Belle might invite me to spend the night at her place, ostensibly to join the pub quiz. In reality, my heart’s desire was to steal some precious extra hours with my dear friend, together alone.