Vin sat at the table playing with his knife and looking out of the window. The rain had been steady for the past thirty minutes. It was his anniversary and he wanted to make it very special for Emily. This was the restaurant he had proposed to her nearly ten years ago. He recalled how he had waited until the end of the meal before doing some extremely corny; he went down on one knee and asked her to marry him. His heart was racing in anticipation of the answer; Emily looked around the restaurant as she realised others were also waiting for her answer when she said ‘Yes’ everyone applauded.

The waiter approached Vin and asked if he were ready to order. Vin waved him away; he knew Emily would be here soon. Things had become very difficult of late; she had become very picky and the rows were more frequent. He knew he was partly to blame; he kept long hours at the office to avoid going home. Several people rushed passed the window, umbrella’s battling against the rain. A taxi stopped outside the restaurant and a smart woman got out. Vin watched her closely, he thought he recognised her. She paid the driver and rushed into the restaurant and was shown to a table.

Vin sipped at his glass of wine browsing absentmindedly the menu. Vin half-smiled remembering how he and Emily always shared a private joke over the Chinese hieroglyphics.

‘I’m sorry to rush you sir but you booked this table for seven. It is now eight,’ said the waiter apologetically.

‘I’m waiting for my wife; she seems to be running a little late.’

The waiter looked a little uncomfortable wondering what to say. Vin watched the waiter and the manager speaking and looking over in his direction, he picked up his glass and drained the remainder of the wine. He noticed the smart woman on the next table look at him with a sympathetic smile; Vin was still trying to place her.

The manager approached Vin’s table, ‘Is there someone I can call?’

‘My wife?’ pleaded Vin.

The manager ran his finger around the rim of his collar and cleared his throat. ‘I don’t think that is possible sir.’

‘Why not?’ insisted Vin.

‘Because …’ he trailed away as the woman opposite got up and came across to Vin’s side.

‘Perhaps I can help. I know Mr Jordan. ’

‘How?’ asked Vin.

‘I treated you two years ago, your mother told me you would be here tonight. Why are you punishing yourself Vin?’

‘If only I had waited for her at home instead of here I could have saved her. If only we hadn’t argued,’ he said with tears in his eyes.

‘You don’t know that. Vin you have to move on, she’s not coming back.’

Vin shook his head in disbelief, ‘No! That’s not true! It’s our wedding anniversary!’

‘Vin she was murdered two years ago. Come on, I’ll see you home.’