This surprises me. I expected her to be still in awe of him.

‘Oh. Why?’

She takes out a cigarette and lights it with a Zippo lighter. Her fingernails are glittery green.

‘Because he’s a prick. But I guess you know that?’

‘Yes. Yes. He’s certainly not treated me well. As you know.’

She points her cigarette at me.

‘He told me that you were a bitch who wouldn’t give him a divorce. A marriage of convenience, yada yada yada …’

‘So what made you think he was a prick?’

She thinks for a moment, as if there are several things and she has to weigh up the worst.

‘Well, he told me you were living separate lives. I wanted him to leave you but he kept making excuses. So I got suspicious and followed you. You weren’t living separate lives at all, were you?’

I shake my head.

‘He lied right to the end. Made me feel like I was crazy for knowing he was lying. So I got rid and felt immediately better. Until now.’

I hurry her along now.

‘So what did he say? When you rang him?’

‘He told me you’d posted it. Something about some photos you’d nicked off him. Said you were a psycho. But anyone can see that you’re just heartbroken.’ She puts her hand over mine. ‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have done any of it. I shouldn’t have come here.’

She gets up and goes to the bathroom. I know as soon as she turns the tap on that she’s running water over her cigarette stub. I’d found them in the mother of pearl mini-bin in the bathroom round about the time I’d smelt smoke in our bedroom. When I asked you, you made up some cock-and-bull story about my hormones making me smell funny things. I even Googled it at the time.

They were hers all the time. She’s been here more than once. I stand in the bathroom doorway as she sits peeing. She’s used to this. One of the girls.

‘So how long did it go on for?’

‘Six months.’

Six fucking months. I swallow a little bit of bile.

‘Even though you knew about the children? Were they ever here?’

‘No. Never. I promise. Look, Caroline, this was a while ago and I’m really sorry. Come on, I’m on your side.’