The last we heard she’d managed to overcome her addiction to drink and drugs and was working at the refuge which had sheltered her, helping others with similar problems. I often think about Sally too. If the bullet’s trajectory had been a few degrees in another direction, it could just as easily have been my son who died. But it wasn’t, and my heart goes out to that poor unfortunate woman.

Dan, tongue between his teeth in concentration, is attempting to teach Alfie some new tricks. Watching them is pure delight. We bought Alfie as a belated birthday present, a bundle of exuberance at only twelve weeks old. A bond formed immediately and I know Dan confided more in Alfie in those early days than he did in me, but I can live with that. The dog is therapeutic and not just for Dan but for all three of us. We take him with us whenever we can and he’s certainly become an important member of the family.

Richard will be home soon. He spends much more time at home now than ever before and it’s working well. There were times, a year ago, when I wasn’t sure if I loved my husband anymore, but those doubts have vanished. He has again become the loving, attentive man he was during the early days of our marriage. I suppose he was trying to woo me all over again, and he succeeded. At times I think he still feels shame at what he put me through, but we’ve agreed never to mention Serena again.

I was tempted to tell Richard about my own failings, to bring everything out into the open, but I didn’t and now I think the moment has passed. But, you see, I can understand how he feels because I’ve been there too.

In the early years of building up my company, a business development conference necessitated an overnight stay in a rather nice hotel, with good food and wine flowing freely. I’m not usually a big drinker and the wine went straight to my head. Somehow, I ended up sleeping with one of the other guests. To my shame and regret, I awoke the following morning with him in my bed. His name was Michael, I know little else about him – and we were both terribly embarrassed.

We agreed to forget the incident ever happened and to go our separate ways after the conference, which we did. Perhaps I would have forgotten all about it, except four weeks after the event, I discovered I was pregnant.

Dan could still be Richard’s son – yet just as easily he could be Michael’s.