‘I didn’t know she’d had him, honestly.’ He moves to the edge of the sofa. His hands across his eyes, kneading his skin.

‘And you expect me to believe that after all your lies?’ She springs up and stands in the middle of the room, hands on hips.

‘It’s the truth, Maddy.’

‘So, when did you find out this delightful piece of news?’

‘When I met Alison again,’ he hesitates, ‘two years ago.’

‘Behind my back. Lying to me for two whole years.’

‘I’m so sorry.’ His hands sweep over his face.

‘Are you really, Max? I don’t believe you. You had every opportunity to tell me.’

‘I’m honestly truly sorry.’

‘So come on, help me out here – Max Saunders doesn’t actually exist, does he?’

‘He does, I mean I do. It’s still me, your husband who loves you.’ He holds out his hands to her, but her arms stay crossed. He sinks back into the sofa. For several moments they don’t speak. The clock in the hall chimes midnight.

‘I stupidly convinced myself you were the one person I could trust.’ She starts to cry.

‘Maddy… please…’

‘Now I know how my mother felt when she found out my dad had been cheating with half the neighbourhood. Is that what you’ve been doing too?’

‘No Maddy, no.’ He reaches out and tries to touch her arm.

‘Why should I believe a word you say? I finally understand the pain my father put her through.’

‘I wanted to be a proper father to my son, to the child I didn’t know existed until he was six years old.’

She finishes her drink. Don’t let him get away with it.

‘Let’s start afresh, move away, if you can just help me clear my debts.’

Maddy stares at the photo of Chloe and Emily. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘We can work it out, I know we can. It’s you I love, not her.’

Her head is pulsing. Does this even mean anything to her?

‘It’s you I want. I know I’ve been an idiot.’

‘I can’t think right now.’ She pours another finger of whiskey and drinks it down.

‘Just say you’ll give me another chance.’ He slides off the sofa onto his knees. There are tears in his eyes.

‘I don’t think I can.’

‘Do you want me to go?’