When they got home, Connie wanted to delay going up to bed for as long as possible. She’d seen the eager light in Devan’s eye since supper, the way he gazed at her across the table, and took it to mean he might want to make love to her later. The thought made her panic. Jared’s erotic teasing had brought her to heights of pleasure she had never experienced with Devan. Will he know? She was hot with shame.

She also realized, as she slowly began to undress, that she felt bamboozled by her husband. He’s all sunshine and sorry, expecting me to respond as if nothing’s happened. I’m obviously supposed to just roll over, forget. Like painting over a crack in the wall. She knew he didn’t mean it like that. He was just being enthusiastic about finally feeling free from his despair. About loving her. But, Jared notwithstanding, it didn’t seem quite fair to expect too much from her, too soon.

Devan, already in bed, was watching as she self-consciously removed her bra, stepped out of her knickers. Two nights ago … She struggled to put it to the back of her mind as she lifted the duvet and slid in next to her waiting husband.

He was kissing her before she’d had time to catch her breath. His mouth was eager, his hands quickly finding her breasts, as if he were in a tearing hurry.

‘Whoa, wait, wait, Devan.’ She pulled away, staying his hand. ‘Let’s take it slowly, OK?’

His eyes didn’t seem focused as he stared down at her. ‘What’s wrong? What have I done?’

She wanted to close her eyes for fear he would see the scene in the hotel bedroom playing there. ‘Nothing’s wrong.’ She kissed him gently. ‘It’s just been a long time, that’s all.’

He tensed and she saw his mouth working. Then he sighed and flopped back on his pillow. ‘I know … and I’m sorry. I’ve just missed you so much, Con. I know I didn’t show it, but seeing you looking so hurt every time I pushed you away these past months tore me up. Only I couldn’t seem to stop. It’s like I was punishing you for how I felt.’ He turned to her. ‘I just want to show you how much I love you, now … for things to go back to how they were before.’

She lay there, wanting to respond as he deserved, but feeling Jared lurking between them. Things would never be the same – it was naïve to think they might be.