‘I do care, and the last thing I want to see is you and Tony break up. Being a single parent is not easy and it would be tough on Nathan, too.’

‘You know nothing about raising a child, Jane – so don’t pretend you do.’

‘Maybe not, but I’ve dealt with parents and children who have been affected by broken marriages.’

‘That doesn’t make you a fucking expert! You hardly ever see Nathan because you’re always too busy with your work. In case you’d forgotten, you’re supposed to be his godmother.’

‘Does it make you feel better, having a go at me?’

‘Yes, especially when you speak to me like I’m the one who’s in the wrong.’

Jane was beginning to realise that Tony’s concerns about Pam’s erratic behaviour were valid.

‘I’ve never said you did anything wrong, Pam . . . I’m just worried about you, that’s all.’

‘I don’t need your or anyone else’s sympathy.’

‘Have you been suffering from any sort of anxiety or depression—?’

‘Of course I’m fucking depressed! Wouldn’t you be?’ Pam shouted.

‘If you’d let me finish, I was going to say before Tony was unfaithful.’

The phone started to ring, and Jane wondered if it might be Tony trying to find out where Pam was.

‘I better answer that in case it’s work.’

‘Who else would it bloody well be? Where’s the brandy?’ she asked, holding up her empty glass.

‘In the kitchen, but do you really need another drink?’

Pam ignored her and went to the kitchen while Jane picked up the phone and took it into her bedroom on a long extension lead to take the call.

‘Who’s calling?’ she asked quietly so as not to disturb Nathan, who was sleeping with a pillow either side of him.

‘It’s Dad. Tony’s just phoned asking if Pam was with us. Your mother said no and asked him what’s happened. He said he’d had a row with Pam and she’d walked out with Nathan and he doesn’t know where she’s gone. Your mother’s worried sick.’

‘It’s OK, Dad, Pam and Nathan are here with me and they’re both fine.’

‘Thank God for that . . . Why are you whispering?’

‘Because Nathan’s asleep next to me and I don’t want to wake him. Tell Mum not to worry and Pam will call her in the morning.’

‘Why can’t she speak to her now?’

‘She’s sleeping and I don’t want to wake her.’

‘What the hell’s going on, Jane?’

‘They’ve had a big row and she just wanted someone to talk to, that’s all.’

‘Has he been having an affair?’

‘I don’t know what they argued about.’