She opened her mouth to tell him about the meal, but before she could speak, he’d leaped to his feet, gripped the back of her neck, and forced her head around so she was looking at the boots.

“What the bloody hell have you been doing all day?” he asked. “Gallivanting around town? Got yourself a fancy man?”

“I’ve been in the yard . . .” she replied, her voice trembling.

“In the yard. Relaxing, I suppose. Getting a bit of sun.” His voice was soothing, singsong, then it changed abruptly. “While I’ve been slaving away earning the money to pay for your bloody idle lifestyle.” He yanked her hair back, pulled her face close to his. “Do you think I like my job? Do you?”

He seemed to want an answer, so she shook her head, desperately trying to think of a way to calm him down.

“Don’t you think I would rather be home, sitting in the sun in the yard?” A vein was bulging on his forehead and spittle sprayed her face.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It won’t happen again.”

He shook his head, pursing his lips. “You say that, but how can I believe you? Thing is, words are easy and I’m not here all day to keep an eye on you. I think you need something to remind you.” He grabbed her left wrist, thumb on one side, fingers wrapped around, and bent her hand backward.

“Please, Tony,” she begged, trying to wriggle free of his grip.

He gave a sudden, vicious twist and she heard the bone crack before she felt it, like the sound when you pull apart the joints of a chicken. She screamed in shock and a wave of giddiness washed over her.

Tony pulled her in for a hug, his tone loving now. “You understand why I had to do that, don’t you?” He kissed her temple on the hairline, and stroked her long black hair.

It hurt so much that Val was shaking convulsively. “I need to go to the hospital,” she stuttered. “You’ve broken my wrist.”

“I’ll take you once I’ve had dinner,” he said, gripping her shoulders and turning her toward the oven. “We don’t want food going to waste. It’s not as if I’m made of money.”

Val fashioned a sling from a tea towel, holding a corner between her teeth while she tied the knot. Next, she got an aspirin from the cupboard and swallowed it with some water, her hand shaking so violently the glass clattered against her teeth.

“Hurry up,” Tony urged. “Sooner we eat, sooner I’ll take you to hospital. We’d better decide what you’re going to say.” He regarded her with narrowed eyes. “Probably best tell them you tripped over the porch step and fell awkwardly. That’ll work.”