While they wandered the house I sat down in my usual place on the sofa by the window and I listened to the murmurs of approval and exclamations of delight, and the soothing sounds of the estate agent and Tom, who seemed to be in harmony with each other as they showed Mr. and Mrs. Sampson around my home. Meanwhile my stomach was tight and knotted and all I could think was, You have tried to destroy me.

By the time they left, I felt as though I was ready to explode.

CHAPTER 66

Ruby

The front door shut behind them with a click. Tom shouted that he was just going upstairs to get changed, and within a couple of minutes I heard him back in the kitchen.

I was on full alert and strained to hear what he was up to. I heard the kettle being filled with water, then a click as it was switched on. I heard mugs being placed on the counter, a spoon taken from its drawer. The noises were so familiar; they were the soundtrack to my life there. I could picture Tom as he moved about, staring into the garden while he waited for the kettle to boil, his back straight, his hands on the edge of the counter.

And then I heard something else and leaned forward to hear better. It was the sound of a cupboard door opening in the utility room. I knew it was the cupboard where we kept our drinks. There was the clink of a glass on the granite counter and then a glugging sound. The glass was lifted for a couple of seconds, then put down again. The sounds were repeated. Then the dishwasher door opened and shut.

I frowned. Was he drinking alcohol at this time of day? We kept the wine in the fridge or on the wine rack. I hadn’t heard the click and hiss of a bottle or can opening; he couldn’t be drinking beer. That cupboard held the spirits and liqueurs. What was he drinking? My mind flashed back: Had he always drunk like that, sneakily, without my knowing? It was as though the veil was slowly being lifted, as though I was seeing him for what he truly was.

I guessed he was wondering why I was there. Did he think his little romantic messages had done the trick? Did he think I’d fallen for his charms, unable to resist him? I used to think he thought I was stupid; now I knew he did.

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