I’d wanted more than anything for her to fight back, to show him that he couldn’t keep treating her that way, but there wasn’t an ounce of resistance left in her. She gave in to him and let her body go limp as her shoulder hit the doorframe.

I’ve since heard from clients that it doesn’t seem to hurt as much once you resign yourself to it. But I don’t ever want anyone to feel that they have to accept abuse.

‘It was just a push,’ says Anna, bringing me back. ‘Maybe I’m making more out of it than I need to.’

I lean into the table. ‘Just a push is more than enough,’ I say. ‘And next time, just a push turns into just a slap, and the time after that it’s just a punch.’

She blows her nose into a tissue. ‘The look in his eyes,’ she says. ‘I thought he was going to kill me.’

‘So what do you want to do?’ I ask.

‘I’ve got a little bit of money put by,’ she says. ‘I’ve been saving some of the housekeeping that Nick gives me. It’s not much, but it pays for you, and there’s now enough for a security deposit and a month’s rent. I can get a job as soon as I’m there.’

I recoil at the thought that the money she’s saving to safeguard her future is being spent on me.

‘OK,’ I say, knowing that I won’t ever charge her for my time again. ‘So do you want me to try and find you somewhere?’

She nods. ‘Could you? I mean, I don’t know how to do anything like that because Nick’s always been in charge. I wouldn’t know where to start.’

‘I can help you,’ I say.

‘But I don’t want to put you in a position where you feel as if you don’t have a choice. This is hardly within your remit, but I really don’t know who else to ask. You’re the only person I trust.’

‘It’s fine,’ I say. ‘I will always help my clients in whatever way I can.’

Her shoulders fall as she breathes out. ‘So I’m not the first?’ she asks.

I smile. ‘And you won’t be the last.’

‘You’ve helped other clients find somewhere to live?’

I think of Jacob and immediately feel a tightening in my chest.

‘One or two,’ I say, brushing off my unease, knowing that it’s obviously different with Anna.

‘How much would I need for a couple of months’ rent?’ she asks.

‘Well, it all depends on where you go,’ I say. ‘Anywhere around here is going to set you back at least fifteen hundred a month for something big enough for you and the children.’

She looks at me wide-eyed. ‘I-I had no idea. I can’t possibly afford that.’