He’s made up his mind, Romy thought, but he’s wrong. She always told herself she hadn’t left Michael because she believed the letter, but because of the effect the letter had had on her marriage. And even now, knowing who had written it, hearing the same accusations from practically the horse’s mouth, she struggled to see Michael as the violent abuser Grace named in the letter. But, if she was being honest, she had to acknowledge that tiny sliver of doubt – born the day the letter came and Michael had reacted so strangely.

Her mind flashed back to the previous Friday, an image of him shuffling on his frame, like an old man, along the corridor towards the kitchen. ‘Michael has many faults, but I have never known him to use physical violence on anyone in his entire life,’ she said quietly.

Finch threw his arms into the air. ‘If he didn’t attack Grace, then why the fuck would she write this letter? Think about it, Romy. Thirteen years later? Why would she go white at the mention of the name “ Michael Claire ”? Why would she sob and shake with fear at the thought of anyone – even her mother, even dear, kind Sam – finding out what happened to her?’ He glared at her. ‘Tell me, does all that make sense if Michael didn’t do it?’

It didn’t. Romy accepted that. ‘None of it makes sense, Finch, but you didn’t know Grace back then,’ she said, clutching at straws. ‘You told me you only met when she was at college. So you’ve no idea what she was like when she was sixteen.’

Finch was frowning at her, apparently stupefied.

‘You ask why Grace would say such things if they’re not really true. But you must know people do, all the time.’ She turned her head, unable to look at him any more. ‘Listen, I’m not saying something didn’t happen, but neither of us can be certain exactly what.’ She took a breath. ‘I just can’t envisage Michael being violent.’ It was as if the more Finch attacked her, the more stubborn she felt in her husband’s defence. How can Finch be so sure?

Then, suddenly, the fight went out of her. She slumped on the cushions and swallowed the tears – she was not going to cry in front of him. After a shaky breath, she said, her tone conciliatory, ‘Oh, Finch, I don’t know, I honestly don’t. Grace is obviously really traumatized about that night. But maybe it wasn’t as black and white as it seems. I mean, Grace claims she saw Michael as a “ bit of a god ”,’ – the words were imprinted on her brain – ‘and maybe she had a crush on him, maybe she sort of flirted with him, then things –’