‘Who do you think you are? Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin consciously uncoupling?’ As soon as she said it, Evie realised this hadn’t yet happened, but for once she couldn’t care less if she were caught out in her web of lies. ‘You’re making no sense, Mum,’ Evie whispered, looking down at her knees. ‘How can you say you’ll be partners when you’re quitting each other?’

Anna sighed, collecting herself. ‘Evie, merely existing under the same roof, or being bound together by paperwork doesn’t mean we’ve succeeded as a couple. We want to do more than survive each day together. We want to thrive. And sometimes, that’s only possible by being apart. We think we will be so much happier alone than we ever would have been if we stayed together.’

Elizabeth, who had been watching the exchange as if it were a tennis match—her eyes pinging between Evie and her parents—stood up so suddenly that her chair creaked with the force of it. ‘You know, we really should be going,’ she said hurriedly, dabbing her lips with a napkin while tapping her husband on the shoulder. Edward and William rose immediately, offering the rest of them a hasty ‘Merry Christmas’ as they moved towards the front door.

Anna got up to show them out, but she’d only moved a few steps when the front door clicked closed. Hugo sighed and shook his head.

Evie watched Anna as she shrugged and returned to her seat. She seemed to be holding herself taller than she usually did, and even her complexion looked a little brighter. There was no denying that there was a certain renewed lightness to her.

‘Well, I think you’re both being very brave,’ Hugo said, breaking the silence which had begun to entomb the room.

‘Is that so, Hugo?’ Anna said.

‘Sure! Sometimes walking away is so much braver than staying. I think you should both be very proud of yourselves. In fact—’ Hugo quickly went to refill his wine glass, and then held it up in the air ‘—I think this calls for a toast.’

‘Come on Hugo,’ Evie said, frowning at him pointedly.

But Hugo ignored her and nodded for Evie’s parents to raise their glasses. Anna and Peter, who obviously thought this whole thing was hilarious, picked up their wines and grinned broadly.

Hugo cleared his throat. ‘To feeling less alone when you’re alone, than when you’re not alone. Cheers!’