‘It’s like suddenly my biggest insecurity has come true. I’ve been feeling unlike myself recently, my body has changed so much since the third kid. And he’s been hooking up with his twenty-three-year-old intern, of all people. It makes me feel like a sack of spuds.’

‘What a fucker. You do not deserve this. I mean no one does, but especially you. You do so much for him and those kids and your home and—’

‘I suppose it’s not been great for a while.’

‘But still!’

‘I wonder whether I was just too eager to chase the marriage and kids thing so early and didn’t really put much effort into the maintaining of it all. He clearly felt trapped – it goes some way to explaining all the travelling. And, well, I could never be bothered to have sex. And even when we did it, he was always the one to initiate it.’

‘But this is not your fault, Bea. Please. Don’t go there,’ I say.

‘I just feel like I’ve pretended everything is fine for so long, to the point where I’ve almost ended up convincing myself that it was.’ She sighs.

Bea’s body language is so different. She is slumped over, slouching. A far cry from the Bea we are used to, who always stands so solidly and confidently, normally taking on other people’s problems and devising solutions.

‘Anyway,’ she sighs. ‘How are you? Let’s change the subject. Distract me.’

‘Oh Bea.’ I squeeze her knee. ‘What are you gonna do next? How can we help?’

‘I don’t know. He’s going to move out for a bit. Have some time apart. I suppose it’s going to depend on whether I can forgive him. But I don’t think I will be able to.’

‘That’s understandable, I suppose you’re going to have to give it time. I’ve heard some marriages can be better after a bad shake-up, or … perhaps it is just unforgivable. What do you want to happen, do you think?’

‘I do still love him, Ol. But, I think it’s just run its course now. I don’t know. How can it ever be the same after this?’ Her eyes look tired. ‘Please tell me about you, my brain hurts from it all.’

‘I’m OK.’ I almost feel bad now sharing my news, but I can tell she’s also desperate for some escapism. ‘I’m actually going on a date tomorrow.’

‘Oh my god! That’s exciting. That’s crazy. What’s he like? Where did you meet him?’

‘At this random improv night. He’s quite a bit older. He’s really sexy. I know it sounds weird but I am relieved that I actually fancy someone. I thought I never would again.’

‘You really deserve some good vibes in that department. Come on, Cupid.’

‘I know. I’m up for it,’ I say, smiling. I catch my reflection in the window in front of us, and see that I feel and look so much better. If only I could say the same for Bea.