Left alone to contemplate her actions and intentions, Simone reflected that the unrivalled prophylactic properties of the condom might be based less on barrier-method contraception than the intermission their use necessarily imposed, during which one of the parties could capably have a volte-face. It was the Windows dialogue-box of human sexuality: 'Are you sure? Yes No.' Matthew's extended absence therefore took her well past changing her mind, beyond worrying how she'd tell him when he came back, and on to the further, harsher terrain of wondering whether he was coming back at all.