In truth, I wasn’t entirely sure how much our monthly bills were; Harvey had put everything in his name, insisting I didn’t want to be bothered with the details. Looking back, I should have seen this as another sign of his desire to control me, but at least he’d inadvertently made it easier for me to leave. After pressing send, I’d quickly added his number to my ‘blocked callers’ list and after that, Dad, Evie and I had been able to enjoy our last night together in peace.

‘I ache all over from all the lifting and carrying I’ve done this weekend,’ I groaned, circling my shoulders. ‘My legs, my arms, my stomach – everything aches.’

‘I think you need to relax for a few days now. You’ve been through a lot,’ said Evie, eyeing me closely. ‘And for someone who’s been working outside for months, you look very pale to me.’

‘I’m still sick with worry about Harvey,’ I said, closing the front door behind us. ‘And I can’t shift this headache – I’ve had it since leaving London.’

‘Hmm,’ she said, frowning as we both gravitated to the kitchen. ‘And did I hear you being sick last night?’

‘I don’t know. Did you?’ I said flippantly.

I opened the back door to let the sunshine in and she began stacking the breakfast things into the dishwasher.

‘I’d forgotten how annoying you can be.’ She leaned against the sink and folded her arms. ‘So what is it, a bug maybe?’

I had been sick several times over the last few days. But it was hardly surprising given the stress I was under. Plus, the two scones with clotted cream that our old neighbour had baked for Dad as a going-away present hadn’t helped. Dad had wolfed down three but Evie hadn’t touched them.

‘I’ll be fine. You’re probably right; I just need to relax. While we’re on the subject of appearances,’ I said, ‘I’ve noticed you haven’t been eating much and I think you’ve lost weight. Not that you’ve got any to lose.’

She gave me a wan smile. ‘I’ve lost my appetite since Darren moved out.’

My heart went out to her. I was absolutely certain that finishing with Harvey was the right thing to do, but it was obvious that Evie still loved her husband. ‘You don’t think it’s worth speaking to him again?’ I suggested.