The next day, a wall of heat hits Alison as soon as she opens the front door. There’s no way she left the heating on high. Poppy is panting but the water bowl is full. The new house plants have wilted. They were fine this morning. The earth is so dry it has cracked open, separating itself from the edge of the pots. She collects the crisp brown leaves and scatters them in the heap of compost out the back. Adam would be proud of her; he’s always nagging her to recycle.

A pair of trainers she’s never seen are behind the kitchen door. They’re his size and there’s the smell of sweat in the air. Why doesn’t he wait for her to come home for God’s sake? What’s he up to? There’s a used mug in the sink, placed on top of yesterday’s plates and a pan of cooked onions has been left on the hob. She leans forward and has a sniff. That’s where the smell is coming from, and they’re still warm. Has he started cooking dinner, popped out for wine and will be back in a minute? Maybe he wants to apologise for his behaviour. He’s opened his mail and squashed it into the letter basket. But no note. She’s going to tear into him for treating her like this.

Thoughts overlap in her head. She’s used to him being secretive and being away, but this is ridiculous. She needs to know if things are okay between them. He must realise this is stressing her out. And poor Jamie, it’s hardly fair on him wondering where his dad is.

She waits around but after half an hour she chucks the onions in the bin and cooks Jamie a sausage pasta ready meal.

After he’s gone to bed, she sits on the sofa with a mammoth glass of lemonade. The microwave pings. The lasagne is overcooked around the edges, but she cuts it in two and dishes it up. It’s too hot to eat.

There’s a light tap on the front door. Julie is standing there teetering on high heels and holding a bottle of Rosé.

‘Sorry, started drinking without you.’ Alison laughs and goes back to the kitchen. She puts both plates on a tray and carries them in. Julie is pouring herself wine and then tops up Alison’s glass with lemonade.

‘Cheers Julie, thanks for the baby shower, it was lovely.’

‘You’re welcome, darling,’ she says. ‘Sorry about Jaz, I wouldn’t have invited her if I knew she was going to be in that state.’

‘It’s not your fault. Anyway, I wanted her to come. She’s been a good mate.’

‘Not heard from him yet then?’