He was scrolling on his iPad at the time and wasn’t looking up at me.

I felt an immediate, visceral rage rising up inside me. ‘No, they’re not. It’s not convenient.’

Ben looked up and frowned in puzzlement. ‘But … I’ve already invited them. And they’ve accepted.’

I couldn’t believe his insolence. ‘Well, you shouldn’t have. Not without clearing it with me first.’

Ben took a deep breath and drew himself up to his full height, making him look ridiculous. ‘I’m sorry, darling. You’re right. But I’ve asked them now so they’re coming. I’ll know better next time.’

I fixed him with my hardest stare, before I stood up and threw my napkin on the table. The urge to slap his stupid face was overwhelming. I pulled my robe around me and marched out of the kitchen before I could actually inflict any physical damage.

I was so angry that I was shaking and I could feel tears of frustration welling up in my eyes. I slammed the bathroom door and switched on the shower to its hottest setting, wanting to feel some kind of sting to match my mood.

As the water hit my skin, I furiously lathered soap all over my body, thinking murderously of how I could make him pay. One thing I knew for absolute certain was that I wouldn’t be joining them for their impromptu dinner tonight, so he would live to regret not consulting with me first.

I made sure I took as long as possible in the bathroom, so that Ben would be late for work and wouldn’t have time for a discussion of any kind. I took particular care with my make-up and chose a dress that still looked sexy, despite my growing bump. Then I left the flat without saying goodbye, slamming the door as hard as possible for good measure.

Marcus was already in the office when I arrived. Since my marriage and pregnancy, he had cooled in his flirtations towards me, which hadn’t bothered me and actually made things a bit easier. But today, I decided that maybe we could enjoy one last hurrah. My own little way of getting back at Ben.

‘Morning, Marcus,’ I said, placing a cup of his favourite coffee that I had bought on the way in, on his desk.

He looked up in surprise. ‘Hey, Bella … thank you. Surely I should be buying you coffee, not the other way round?’

I flashed him my sexiest smile. ‘I just remembered how much you always enjoyed it and thought it wouldn’t do any harm to revisit our old habits, every once in a while …’

Marcus picked up the double meaning behind my words immediately. ‘Well … what a nice thought that is. Revisiting old habits …’ He grinned mischievously. ‘I’m all in favour of that.’

With that, the mood was set and for the rest of the day we traded increasingly suggestive remarks. At 6 p.m., as I was getting ready to leave, he came and perched on my desk. One thing I had always loved about Marcus was that he was incredibly straightforward and didn’t waste time with small talk when there was the promise of uncomplicated sex in the offing.