Jo had her back to me and hadn’t noticed I was there, but both Peter and Emma looked at me in horror. ‘She can’t bear the attention wandering from her for a second. She’s such a little bloody madam! Honestly, Emma, you should have seen her earlier, refusing to even take her coat off!’

I felt like clapping my hands with joy. She had done exactly what I hoped and given me the perfect excuse to leave, with all the blame landing squarely on her shoulders. There was a long, agonizing pause, as Jo realized that Peter and Emma were looking over her shoulder with horrified expressions and that I must have overheard her. I saw her tense, before she turned very slowly to face me.

‘Wow, thanks for that, Jo,’ I said, in a tone of voice that I hoped sounded deeply wounded, aware that I needed to put a stop to the smile that was tugging at the corners of my mouth. ‘It’s a good job we’re leaving – I certainly know where I’m not wanted.’

‘Bella, I …’ Jo’s face flushed bright red. She stepped forward and reached out to take my arm but shrugged her off brusquely.

‘Let go of me! Come on, Ben. We’re going.’

Ben looked like he might cry. ‘I’m really sorry but we have to go. Em, I hope you’re OK?’

Emma nodded and raised her glass. ‘Thanks, I’ll be fine,’ she slurred. She sounded absolutely plastered. ‘Happy Christmas.’

Ben hesitated and for a horrible moment, I thought he might be going to ask if we could stay after all. I gave him my most ferocious glare. ‘Ben!’ I growled, leaving him in no doubt that I would not be staying in this house a minute longer.

With a final, anguished look, he gave a small wave and followed me to the front door.

As he opened the door, we heard Jo burst into noisy sobs and he threw me a pleading look. I shook my head fiercely and pushed him out, before pulling the door shut behind me with a loud bang.

We got into the car and Ben reversed out of the drive, looking distraught.

‘Well, I always suspected that she didn’t like me all along and it looks like I was right,’ I told him, trying not to sound too triumphant.

‘She does like you …’ he said, sounding weary. ‘But you have to admit you weren’t exactly friendly to her either.’

Indignation rattled through me. How dare he blame me for his mother’s hurtful comments. ‘Are you saying it was my fault?’ My bottom lip began to wobble and I knew the tears weren’t far behind.

Ben closed his eyes for a moment, before reaching over and putting his hand on my leg. ‘No, of course not. Come on, darling, don’t cry. Let’s get you home and into bed. I’m sure you’ll feel better if you have a good sleep.’

I blew my nose and nodded my agreement. I didn’t need to tell him that I felt much better already.