He just looks at me like he’s seeing right through me. He isn’t buying my explanation for a second and, when I say it out loud, I realize it sounds like I’ve been holding onto a dream of a younger me, someone who had no idea of the realities of life or the challenges that it can bring. I didn’t know love, I’d only just tasted it. I need to shake this off, but I’ve an awful fear I’ve left it too late.

I hear a car pull into our driveway and I feel like stomping my feet like a spoilt child who isn’t getting her way. I want to scream and cry and beg him to stay and talk this through more. Today was meant to be cosy and romantic as we said our heartfelt farewells, not rushed and gut-wrenching like what we’re going through now.

‘If you were afraid of ever mentioning his name again,’ Jack tells me quietly, ‘you wouldn’t have gone to hear him in concert last night, would you? If you were so afraid to face up to your history with him, you certainly wouldn’t have stood beside me pretending you didn’t know him when you knew him inside out.’

I touch his arm in desperation as the taxi driver sounds the horn outside but Jack walks away. He lifts his suitcase and I try to stop him but he doesn’t look at me until we get to the door.

‘I have only ever loved you, Charlotte,’ he says to me sincerely. ‘I worry about you, I care for you, I put you first in everything I do. My main concern in going to Canada to do something that I feel passionate about was if you were going to be OK here because you have been so low for such a long time now.’

His lip is trembling and he looks me in the eyes as his own fill up with tears.

‘You have plenty to think about, Charlotte, and plenty of time and space to do so while I’m gone,’ he says to me. ‘It’s about time you were honest with yourself. It’s about time you decided if you want to be with me and if you’re capable of being mature and honest in our marriage. You’re not that carefree young girl any more. You’re my wife. Maybe it’s time you remembered that and started acting like it, instead of some ditzy fan girl with a crush on someone you don’t even know any more.’

The taxi driver sounds the horn again. I open the door to let him see that Jack is on his way, wishing I could tell him to go away and let me drive my husband to the airport.