My sole intention was to find Digby and then get the hell out of London. I knew I couldn’t take Sebastian with me, the first night of his play was on Friday, and I’d have to miss it now – but I had a desperate urge to speak to him. In the cab on the way to Greenwich I scrabbled around for my phone. Before I found it, it started to ring in the depths of my bag.

‘Maggie!’ Bel screeched. ‘Finally. How are you?’

‘Don’t ask,’ I said. ‘Not great.’ There was a strange echo on the line that meant my own voice repeated itself three seconds after I spoke. It was eerie. ‘Terrible actually (terrible actually).’ I shook my head in frustration. ‘How’s Bangkok?’

‘We’re not there any more. We’re on a little island down on the east coast. It’s absolutely beautiful, Maggie. You’d love it. You should see the colour of the sea.’

‘I wish I could. How’s Han?’

‘Bit dazed, I think, but having a good time. Making friends with everyone, getting to grips with a snorkel. The jetlag’s a bit full-on though.’ There was a pause and I thought I’d lost her. My eyes seemed to be swimming oddly. I blinked hard.

‘Bel?’

‘Yeah, I’m here. Listen, I remembered what I wanted to tell you when we left. I don’t want to upset you, but –’ Her voice trailed off.

‘Bel?’

‘Sorry. It’s a really bad connection. The mobiles don’t work at all and the island phones are a bit dodgy.’

‘So what is it?’ To be honest, nothing could get any worse.

‘It’s just – I thought you should know. Alex has been up to his old tricks.’

‘Which ones?’

‘I got an email from Anna-Beth. She knows Serena from the fashion circuit. Serena’s having serious problems with him now too.’

‘I see.’ I tried to be droll, though actually I felt almost victorious. ‘Poor her.’

‘I just wanted you to remember why you left him.’ Bel was trying to engage me. ‘That it wasn’t just you, that Alex has a serious problem. I don’t want you to keep blaming yourself, because I know you do. You know what men are like.’

The problem was, I obviously didn’t.