‘So, how do we play this? You want some thinking time, but I’m not sure exactly what you have in mind.’ He’d said ‘outside of our relationship’ last night, so I’m guessing he wasn’t envisaging a three-week holiday for two somewhere exotic.

‘I want to widen my horizon and experience things up close that I’ve only been able to dream about, so far. The world is a big place and seeing how other people live will put our lives here into some sort of context, for me.’

I’ve struggled to make things as easy as possible, knowing that Aiden has been stressed. Is he flinging that back at me as if it was the wrong thing to do?

It’s an effort not to let out a frustrated sigh. ‘What exactly are you proposing?’

Aiden doesn’t bat an eyelid as he responds. ‘A year apart, doing our own thing. I’ll get that travelling bug out of my system, as I know it unsettles you thinking you’re holding me back. And you can take some time to nurture the inner you, Fern. You deserve it.’

Words fail me and I stare at Aiden, trying to hide the angry knot forming in my stomach. He’s turning this on its head; he’s the one causing the chaos in our lives, not me. Or is he simply looking for reassurance and a little time to sort himself out – without which I’ll end up losing him?

Maybe my strength has become my weakness – addressing issues head-on, coming up with a viable solution and pulling together an action plan to solve the problem. That’s what Aiden is expecting of me now, as if this is some sort of work project. But this has become so much more; it’s no longer about simply getting through a rough patch, but being in a position to breathe some life back into our marriage.

Keep calm, Fern. What’s a year, if, when you return, your life together is firmly back on track because Aiden’s little crisis is over?

‘And the party we’re planning for the May Day bank holiday, which was supposed to be celebrating our good fortune and Hannah’s birthday, will also announce…’ I cast around for the right words, which fail me.

‘…That we’re both taking a little sabbatical. Lots of people take time out to—’

‘Widen their horizons,’ I jump in, cutting him off. This is a private matter and I want him to be clear that there’s no need to worry anyone unduly.