Tara stared at the distant display of meatballs behind Phil’s head. They were unrealistically glossy. Somehow it was a fitting punishment that this should be happening in such a family-orientated, wholesome Scandi environment.

What had happened to her brain?

There had been a moment when she’d almost convinced herself that all that was needed was a frank conversation about how yes, this had started as a fun thing, but now the rules needed to change. Phil was obviously scared of commitment. Maybe he was waiting for her to admit she wanted more.

But now he’d confirmed her worst suspicion, she had no option but to end it. Tara braced herself to hear the truth. ‘Where have you been?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean …’ Tara shook her head. ‘No, I can’t make it more straightforward. You tell me you’re going away, total silence for nearly three weeks, then out of the blue, you call. Was it work? A holiday with your not-wife?’

‘Ha ha.’ He rubbed his face. ‘Does it matter?’

‘Yes!’ Tara stared at him. ‘I’ve been trying to get hold of you for weeks. I’ve been worried. Why wouldn’t you tell me? Unless you’ve been in prison?’

Phil stared at her, and an awful realization dawned on her.

‘Oh God. You have.’

‘Not prison-prison, Tara, nothing bad.’

She covered her mouth in horror.

His wounded expression changed to a wicked grin, and he pointed his finger at her. ‘Got you going there, didn’t I?’

Her heart was pounding in her chest. ‘Jesus, Phil.’

He reached over the table, circling her wrist with his fingers. ‘Sorry, sorry, Taz, didn’t mean to freak you out. It was just a joke.’

‘It’s not funny.’ She snatched her hand back. ‘Where were you?’

‘I was … on holiday.’ He shifted in his seat. ‘In the Bahamas.’

‘With Zoe?’

A pause. ‘Yes.’

‘Your … fiancée?’

He nodded, and had the grace to look ashamed. ‘She booked it. She, um, proposed while we were out there.’

‘And you said yes?’

He widened his eyes. ‘What else was I meant to say? She did it on the first night.’

‘Oh my God.’ Tara leaned on the table, covering her eyes with her hands for a brief moment or two of blissful darkness. Part of her wished Phil had been in prison. At least there’d be an outside chance he hadn’t done it.

She felt his finger stroking her bare arm. ‘I’m really sorry, Taz. I didn’t know what else to do. I was going to tell you. I was going to—’

‘Shut up.’ She pulled her arm away. ‘Answer me one question and don’t even think about making up some bullshit. Have you got builders in your house?’ Her flashing eyes dared him to lie.

‘What?’ Slowly he withdrew his hand.

‘Why did you leave Sybil with me, if you didn’t have builders?’ Tara already knew the answer.