It was presented as a reading exercise in one of the books used to teach English as a foreign language (probably Headway) . In it, a man probably in his early 30s, bumps into a former girlfriend who had walked out on him years before. Trying to put on a brave front, they agree to sit down for a coffee and a chat.
It slowly comes out that they both regret what happened years before, but are too afraid to admit it. Some of the lines I remember are:
She says “Oh Michael, I don’t know why I left that night.”
He replies “We were both very young,” in an attempt to imply it’s all water under the bridge. But it’s clear that neither has fully recovered, and they’ve drifted from one doomed relationship after another over the years.
Finally, just as we think some progress has been made, the man suggests they get together for coffee again sometime. He writes down his phone number and she puts in in her purse, promising to call him soon.
The final line of the story is: “But of course, she never does.”
The story reminds me of The Human League’s song “Louise,” which I listened to this afternoon. If it helps stir anyone’s memory, it was printed together with a photo of a couple at a cafe, and I’d swear the woman was Margaret Colin.
I’d like to know the title of the story and who wrote it, if possible.