But even her beautiful room failed her today and in the end she lay on the rug and howled her eyes out.

It hurt to be so at odds with her daughter. And to know that she’d made things more difficult for Jez. It hurt that they were printing this rubbish about her in the sleazier newspapers.

Everything seemed to hurt today.

On that thought she got up, went to wash her face and came back to meditate. She of all people should know better than to give in when the going got tough.

The next morning Sophie couldn’t settle to work. Her conscience was bothering her and she had to do something before she could get on with her life. She picked up the phone and dialled the number Jez had given her.

To her surprise, he answered in person.

‘Jez? It’s me, Sophie. Please don’t hang up until I’ve apologised.’

His voice was curt. ‘There’s no need. You didn’t contact the press.’

‘But I let my daughter know you were buying the house next door.’

‘Just a minute.’

He must have covered up the phone because there were only faint sounds. She waited.

He came on again. ‘Sorry. I’ve got an urgent call. Can I ring you back later?’

‘There’s no need. I just wanted to say I was sorry.’ She ended the call and went back to her work. But she felt sad that things had ended like this, that she’d let him down.

She was quite sure now that she’d wanted to go on seeing him.

Tom stared at his mother in horror. ‘Say that again!’

‘Gail came to see me this morning at church. She remembered it was my day for the Ladies’ Bible Class. She wanted to talk about your marriage. She’s ashamed of what she’s done, is seeking your forgiveness and promises to mend her ways.’

‘You didn’t believe her, did you?’

‘I’m willing to give her a chance. I asked her to speak to our pastor, and he told me afterwards that she’d listened with great attention. She’s agreed to go back and speak to him again. She desperately wants to save your marriage, which is more than you do.’

Tom groaned. ‘She’s just trying it on, using you, pretending to repent.’

‘If she is, then there is surely a chance that true repentance will follow. It won’t hurt you to give her a chance, will it? After all, you are still married to her.’

He knew better than to argue when she got that evangelical tone. It would hurt her, and anyway it would be a waste of time. A woman so honest and naive would never understand someone as devious as Gail.

He waited until his mother had gone shopping, settled the children down to play and rang his father. It was Donna who answered.

‘I need to speak to Jez.’

‘He can’t be disturbed, but perhaps I can help?’

‘Look, if he’s there, I’d really appreciate you asking him to speak to me. It’s very urgent.’