‘Living here. I’m bored. You’re hardly around, which I think is by design. I wish we could start again somewhere else.’ She didn’t really, not with him anyway, but she wasn’t in the mood for another row, especially if it meant he would catch her out. She went over to him and, leaning over the back of the chair, slipped her arms around his shoulders, running her hand down the buttons on his shirt.

He shrugged her off and jumped to his feet. ‘Fucking bitch,’ he said, his eyes blazing with anger.

‘What?’ Elizabeth had no idea what Harry meant by that.

‘You might have fixed your hair and done your make-up but you forgot to wash the smell of aftershave off you.’

Elizabeth felt her knees weaken. She rested on the back of the chair for support. ‘Don’t be silly,’ she said after a moment. ‘I’ve been in the department store, testing out new aftershaves for you.’

Harry shook his head. ‘Bullshit.’ With that he stormed out of the house, slamming the door hard behind him.

Elizabeth dropped into the chair and held her head in her hands. What a mess! She really needed to leave but she hadn’t managed to squirrel away nearly enough money to do so. She felt unexpected tears sting her eyes and, feeling in need of some kind words and a shoulder to cry on, she phoned her mum.

It went to voicemail. Elizabeth almost hung up, but she felt compelled to leave a message.

‘Hello, Mum, it’s me. Look, I’m sorry to call like this and leave a message. I really wanted to speak to you in person but … things aren’t too good here. I’ve got myself into something and it’s way above my head. I don’t like it. I have a bad feeling about it all. I need to come home. I’m going to leave this place. Leave Harry and come home. I’m not sure when, but it will be soon, just as soon as I’ve worked a few things out. Got to go. Love you.’

She sat back in the chair, wiping a stray tear from her face, and wondered if Sonia would call back soon. It would be nice to hear a friendly voice for a change.

‘Hello, Elizabeth, is everything all right?’

Elizabeth spun round in her chair to see Pru standing in the doorway. ‘Sorry, I didn’t hear you there.’

‘I did knock. I was worried. I’ve just seen Harry storming through the house in a foul mood and I was concerned. I know things are a bit tricky between you two at the moment.’ She gave a sympathetic smile. ‘I don’t mean to pry. I can leave if you prefer.’

‘No, it’s fine. Do come in,’ said Elizabeth, feeling emotionally tired from all the stress. ‘Would you like a coffee?’

‘You sit there. I’ll do it.’