Jo often thought she would have been happy to stay at Rose Cottage for ever, but Peter’s career was flying, so they bought the much larger house in Suffolk, where he could commute into the city more easily and they could add to their little family. The pressure of Peter’s career meant he had to spend a couple of nights every week in London but the huge improvement in their circumstances made it worthwhile.

The biggest blip in their relationship came when the children were 8 and 11 and she discovered that he had been having an affair with a work colleague. She had been stunned and devastated and had immediately told him to leave. But he seemed genuinely sorry for what he’d done and had begged and begged her to give him another chance. Although it took time for the hurt and anger to recede, she was glad that she had forgiven him. They had been very happy together ever since, even though she knew that he had had other dalliances over the years. But she had made a decision to turn a blind eye in future, reasoning that, as long as she and the children remained unaware, what they didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt them.

As she pulled on the black dress she had chosen to wear for the funeral, Jo reached around to do up the zip and realized that she couldn’t fasten it all the way up. She opened her mouth to call for Peter, before remembering that he was no longer here. A wall of grief hurtled towards her, hitting her with such force that she slumped down onto the pale grey carpet. She couldn’t even cry. There were no more tears left. She knew that this was how it would be from now on, the little things having the power to floor her on a daily basis.

‘Mum?’ Emma was in the doorway, looking pale and weary. ‘Are you OK?’

Jo shook her head. ‘I can’t do up my zip.’ Her voice sounded childlike to her own ears.

Emma’s eyes filled and she nodded her understanding. ‘I’ll do it.’ She came into the room and reached out a hand to Jo, helping her to her feet. She finished doing up the zip and gently turned Jo around to face her. ‘You’ll feel better when today’s over.’

Jo tried to smile but found her mouth simply wouldn’t cooperate. ‘I hope you’re right but I’m not so sure, Em. I don’t think I’ll ever feel better again.’

Emma gave her a quick hug.

‘I just feel sick to my stomach all the time,’ Jo continued. ‘And I’m dreading today.’

Emma sighed and nodded. ‘I know. We all are.’

‘Is Ben here yet?’

Emma shook her head. ‘No, but he’ll be here very soon.’

As she spoke, Jo heard the crunch of wheels on the gravel driveway. She walked over to the window and looked down in time to see Ben’s new SUV pulling up. He got out and lifted Elodie from the back seat. Jo’s heart leaped at the sight of the little girl, so much like her mother and already so changed in the short time since she last saw her.