His arms were around her and she felt like weeping with relief. She’d survived another weekend intact. He hadn’t suddenly had a fabulous family time and a subsequent change of heart. She was still the one he loved.

‘God, I’ve missed you,’ he murmured against her neck. They were pressed up against the cupboard in the corner, out of the view of the window. It was cramped and uncomfortable, but she could feel his body hardening nevertheless. She was aroused too, to the point of distraction. What a way to start the working week! Was it all this sexual tension between them that kept her coming back for more? What would it be like when they eventually lived together? Would the chemistry between them still be as electric? They were five years into this affair and, even now, couldn’t get enough of each other. She hoped that it would always be like this for as long as they lived.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t hear your call,’ she told him.

‘I could only stay for a minute anyway,’ he said. ‘Both of the kids have been ill.’

She’d envisaged them playing in the park, Jude swinging them high in his arms, spinning, spinning and laughter, lots of laughter. Now she knew differently. ‘Nothing serious?’

He shook his head, his beautiful mop of black hair. ‘Colds. Dastardly. I’ve seen enough snot to last me a lifetime. You don’t want to know the details.’

But she did. She wanted to know everything about him, no matter how trivial. It was best not to say that though, otherwise he thought she was being too clingy.

‘I’m sorry about the party.’ He pulled his little boy’s face. ‘Did you have a good time without me?’

‘No,’ she said. ‘It was dull. Annie was unwell, so we went to bed early.’

‘Poor darling.’

Lauren decided not to tell him that she’d been out to a gig with Zak last night. Sometimes he could be a bit funny about their friendship. It was as if he resented Zak knowing their secret, as if Zak had one over on him. So she thought it was better to keep quiet.

The gig had been surprisingly good – a new singer who sounded like Duffy. Some of Zak’s friends had been there too, guys that he used to play in a band with years ago and they’d made her laugh. And she’d drunk too much. Again. The make-up had been applied just that little bit thicker this morning to hide the ravages.

‘Can we sneak out to lunch together?’

‘Not today,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a meeting.’

‘Oh.’ She hated it when he fixed lunchtime meetings, but sometimes it couldn’t be helped.