‘Yes, you,’ Karla said forcefully. ‘He is what he is – I don’t need to be constantly reminded of that. But, whatever he is, he’s the only person you’re likely to get the financial help you need from. If you won’t accept that help, then you have to sell the business. It’s either that or end up in the bankruptcy court, and then you really will have messed up our future.’

‘I see.’ Nodding slowly, Jason digested. Great move, Karla. So, it’s either give up and sell up or sell my soul to your father?’

‘Yes.’ Karla held his gaze. ‘You’re giving him exactly what he wants by refusing. He won’t need to work at destroying our marriage if we go on like this. We’re doing it for him by arguing all the time. Can’t you see?’ She searched his face, her expression imploring. ‘Because if you can’t, our children can. They’re aware of what’s going on. You must know they are. Can you not just stop this? Accept defeat? If not for me, then for them?’

Feeling that like a low body blow, Jason drew in a long breath. ‘Right,’ he said, breathing out slowly. ‘Message understood.’ Or rather ultimatum, one undoubtedly suggested by her delightful father. ‘Do you mind if I go, now you’ve delivered it?’

‘Oh, I give up. Just… do what you like. You probably will anyway.’ Looking him over disappointedly, Karla turned away, going across to the oven to pull it open and start dragging out dishes.

Which meant what? Exasperated, Jason watched as she carried the dishes across to the work surface. Banging them down, she retrieved the tin foil from the drawer underneath and set about covering them.

His gaze went to the dining table at the far end of the kitchen, which was set for two, he noticed, and with two candles which had obviously been recently snuffed out, judging by the smell of candle wax and smoke. He looked back to Karla. She was wearing make-up, or had been. She was wiping most of it from her face now, along with her tears. She was also wearing the dress he loved her in. A clingy, short red dress. She’d worn it in Paris last year. It had been the first romantic break they’d had in a very long time, when his sister, Hannah, had offered to have the kids so they could do something special for their anniversary. Fitting in all the right places and showing off her long legs to maximum advantage, the dress had turned him on. It had turned the waiter who was serving them on. Karla had looked hot that night. Jason had been desperate to get her out of the restaurant, back to the hotel and out of the dress to make slow, sensual love to her. His plans hadn’t quite worked out.