‘Yes. Don’t hang around to give him long explanations, just go, he won’t let you leave him without putting up a fight, he’ll do everything in his power to win back your love. So don’t give him the opportunity. Cut off all ties, block him from your phone, move back to your family. Cold turkey.’

My heart started to thump. I’d been planning on accepting the promotion. I knew I could do it and I wanted to show Harvey that I wouldn’t be bullied into turning it down, even if it would make life uncomfortable while he got used to the idea. But the job would be permanent and I’d have to give a month’s notice if I wanted to leave. Whereas today …

‘I could do my last shift, catch an evening train and be back in Fernfield before he even knew I’d gone,’ I said softly. On Fridays, Harvey started work at noon and didn’t finish until eight. Plenty of time. If that was what I wanted.

Vicky touched my arm. ‘Lottie, the easiest course of action would be to stay exactly as you are and accept that this is just the way he is. Is that what you want?’

I shook my head. I deserved more than that.

‘Thank you, Vicky,’ I said, giving her a hug. ‘You’ve given me the courage I needed.’

‘I’m so glad,’ she said, patting my back. ‘One last thing: before this all has a chance to blur in your mind, write down the reasons why you left him, so if you’re tempted to come back, or if he comes looking for you, you’ll have something to remind you why you mustn’t. Ever.’

I nodded and then shuddered with dread; I wouldn’t put it past Harvey to try to get me to change my mind, he never liked to lose at anything. ‘Right, I’d better go and tell my boss what I’ve decided.’

Vicky smiled and stood up, pulling me to my feet. ‘That would be my sister, Paula. I’ll come with you. She hated Raymond so much she almost banned me from sprinkling his ashes here. When she hears about Harvey, she’ll understand; in fact, I’ll go as far as to say she’ll help as much as she can.’

I shook my head in amazement; today was getting odder and odder. ‘I feel like I’ve met my fairy godmother!’

Vicky was right: half an hour later, Paula had sorted out my employment paperwork and had decided to give me the rest of the afternoon off as a farewell gift. She’d been brilliant about me turning down the promotion and agreed with her sister that the sooner I got out of my toxic relationship the better.

I left her on the phone to a recruitment agency to advertise for a new supervisor and Vicky walked me to the exit.