She opened her eyes and saw the light coming in through the curtains. So it was after dawn, but this far north in the summer the dawn was early. From the birdsong she could hear, it was very early. From the feeling behind her eyes, whatever time it was, it was too fucking early.

He nibbled her ear and slid his hand onto her hip.

‘Darling,’ he said. ‘Are you awake?’

It was, she thought, a fucking stupid question. There was no answer. If she was asleep she couldn’t answer. If she was awake but wanted to be left alone she’d have to say no – but that was ridiculous.

She grunted and shifted her hip away from him. Her stomach felt delicate, and she needed to pee.

More than anything, though, she wanted to be allowed to sleep.

That was clearly not Ned’s plan. He nestled closer, spooning her. He had, she realized with dismay, a hard-on, which he was pressing into her buttocks.

His slipped his hand under her T-shirt and moved it up to her breasts. She fought the urge to gag. She had had too much to drink and eat and she would not have wanted this at the best of times.

And the best of times were gone for her and Ned. She felt no desire for him at all; in fact, she felt a vague – and growing – revulsion.

‘No,’ she said. ‘Not now, Ned.’

He ignored her, and pressed himself harder against her.

‘Ned,’ she said, louder. ‘I said no!’

‘Don’t be like this,’ he said. ‘We had a stupid argument. We can move on. And this is the perfect way.’

‘Ned,’ she said. ‘I’m serious. No. I’m tired. I want to go back to sleep.’

‘When you wake up, then?’

She didn’t reply. She didn’t think he would like the answer, and she didn’t want to discuss it at that moment.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, his voice breaking. ‘I’m sorry I was mean. And jealous. It was stupid of me. I won’t do it again, I promise.’

‘OK,’ she said. ‘That’s good.’

‘Why are you being like this, Alice? I said I’m sorry.’

‘Ned,’ she said. ‘We can talk about this later. But it’s too early. OK?’

‘OK,’ he said. ‘Later’s fine.’

The conversation did not go well.