He extracts one of his hands, then reaches up to hold his palm against the curve of her face. She's so beautiful. He has known her for so long. Things change, people lose sight of each other, but he had thought this was likely to be forever. He doesn't want anything else.

"I know you better than I know myself. And you know me. I would never have looked to leave you. I would never lie to convince you to stay.

"But aye, that might be the truth of it. We may be little more than strangers."

He lowers his face to where their hands are clenched together in her lap. All he wants is to hold her, and he has no right.