Tom lets out a laugh. ‘You’ve got a right to absolutely nothing after accusing me of all that. I’ve been perfect for you, Grace. I’ve been everything you wanted, right from the start.’

‘Just like you were with all the others?’

Tom’s eyes narrow as he studies me. ‘What do you mean? What others?’

‘Erin. Jess.’

There’s a minute flicker in his eyes — barely perceptible, but enough for me to notice — as I say Jess’s name.

‘I don’t know anyone called Jess,’ he says.

‘Funny. I do.’

He looks at me, willing me to continue. So I do.

‘She got in contact with me,’ I tell him. ‘But then again you already knew that, because you deleted the email thinking I hadn’t seen it. But I had. You know, that email account you claim you don’t have access to. I went to see her, Tom. Down in Cornwall. She told me everything. Everything you’d done to her, everything you’d done before and since. How you called her your Butterfly. How you tried to isolate her from her family and friends. Pulled her off social media. Tried to ruin her life and make sure she was completely reliant on you. But it didn’t work, did it? And it’s not going to work with me, either. She found out who you were, and so did I. So I suggest you do exactly the same as you did with her, and walk out. Go somewhere else. Stay out of my life. And take a long, hard look at yourself before you even think about getting involved with other women.’

He shakes his head slowly. ‘This is absolutely insane. Grace, I live with you. I love you. You love me. Why the hell would you even believe a word a psychopathic ex-girlfriend tells you over me? There’s a reason I left that woman, and it’s not because she told me to, I can promise you that.’

‘You’re lying, Tom.’

‘No, I’m not. I promise you, I’m not.’

‘There you go again. One lie after another. You can’t help yourself, can you? Let me tell you this, Tom. I know all about your lies. All of them. I know who you are. I know what’s gone on. And yes, do you know what? I actually feel sorry for you. But maybe now you can accept it and move on like a normal person.’

‘Move on from what? What are you talking about?’

‘I’m talking about Erin, Tom. She didn’t leave you, did she? She didn’t take your daughter and do a runner. I know what happened. I know she died, Tom. I know they both died in a car accident — the one you claim your parents died in. But your parents aren’t dead, are they? They’re alive, Tom. I know they’re alive because I found out where they live. Jess told me. I parked up outside their house and watched them, Tom. I sat there for an hour as your dad washed his car and your mum put the bins out.’