‘Safe? What does that mean?’ I try not to sound angry or disappointed, but I am – a little of both.

‘I wasn’t sure you’d come back. Hannah told me all about this artist guy of yours and the thought of how closely you were working together has been eating away at me. He was a stranger and yet he saw something in you, something I missed. You don’t get to exhibit in a gallery and sell paintings unless you have real talent. How ironic that I was the one feeling trapped, but you were the one suffering in silence.’

I almost recoil in shock. ‘That’s crazy, Aiden. I knew that someday I’d set aside time to explore my interest, but I had no idea it would go anywhere. And how did you find out about the gallery?’

‘Look, it wasn’t Hannah’s fault, but after she mentioned his name, I looked him up online. I wanted to find out more about the guy who was spending so much time with my wife.’

I’m disappointed that it’s only jealousy that has made Aiden stop and think. ‘But you never said you were uncomfortable about my being there. I didn’t think you were that interested, to be honest.’

He grunts and gives his head a little shake. ‘Jealousy is an ugly emotion and it’s not something I wanted to admit had begun to consume me. Particularly, when… well, when I wasn’t feeling very proud of myself.’

It’s hard not to give a rather terse retort, but I remain silent.

‘One of the links that came up was to a gallery in Seville. His work was good and that made me relax a little, but then I saw your name in the sidebar listed as a new artist coming soon. I called Owen to ask if he knew anything about it and he was as surprised as me. I didn’t mention it to Hannah, or your parents, because I felt awkward about it. Shouldn’t I have known what was going on? And then I realised I’d been holding things back, so who was I to complain? But a few days later Owen emailed me to say your paintings were up and Fern Wyman was officially an artist. I think he shared the link with everyone we know. And since then it says two of them have been sold.’

I’ve always been the one supporting everyone else and now they’re all supporting me. Even though it can’t have been easy for Aiden, in particular, not to voice his fears.