If only she could persuade him to put some of his cash in the savings account, she’d be able to pay off a bit of her debt to James. And that would make her feel a whole lot better. What if I can’t pay any back? The idea sent a flutter of panic through her chest. Would James reinstate their deal? Ask her to attend more events with him, maybe more weekends away? If that happened, Matt was bound to find out, and then… Her mind galloped along the line of logic to the worst possible conclusion. Her life as she knew it was hanging in the balance and she had no idea how to tip things in the right direction.

Matt scowled. ‘Since when have you been in charge of how I spend my earnings?’ She bit her lip a little harder, didn’t reply that she was the one who ran the household finances, sorted out the bills. His hands were flying in the air. Annoyance scrunched his forehead into deep furrows. ‘I’m perfectly capable of working out priorities. And anyway, it’s my job to provide for my family, so I’ll do what I see fit without you lording it over me.’ He stared at her. ‘Thing is, I have to invest in the business as well. There’s some new kit I need, so I’ve ordered that. And I’ve thought about savings. I’m not stupid. That’s why I got half the payment in bitcoin.’

Bitcoin? She had no idea what that was, apart from an inkling that it was a computerised currency. ‘But how will…’ She stopped, the look on his face telling her that now was not a good time to be pushing anything that contradicted his view of things. Persuading Matt to do anything against his will was a skilled operation and something she’d had little success with over the years.

He picked up his tea and took a few gulps before standing. ‘Look, I’m sorry to get a bit uptight.’ He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, eyes on the ground for a moment before he caught her gaze. ‘It’s just… Well, it’s my job to look after you all, and I think I’ve done all right up to now.’ His eyes challenged her. ‘Haven’t I?’

‘You’ve been brilliant,’ she said, all enthusiastic because she could sense trouble in his tone.

‘Well, you’ll just have to trust me, then.’ He crouched in front of her, hands on her knees, and leant forward to give her a tender kiss, taking her by surprise. ‘I’m doing this for us, so we don’t have to worry about the future. Honestly, Sara. This could be big. Really big.’

‘I’d just like to know…’ She tried to stop herself, but the question was too enormous to keep inside any longer. ‘Is it legal?’