‘And what about money?’ David had asked. ‘I don’t know what my wife’s living on; our joint account’s practically dried up.’

‘What about your redundancy?’ Diana had asked.

‘That went into my building society account; she can’t touch it.’

‘Well, that’s something, I suppose.’

‘Yes, I know, but that’s all I’ve got. I’m unemployed and whatever happens, we’re going to have to sell the house. I can’t possibly service the mortgage or the loans. Angie still won’t talk to me and I could do with having some of my things. I’ve literally only got the clothes I’m standing in.’

‘Look, let me write to her lawyer and we’ll see where things stand,’ Diana had said. ‘You’re due in court on the sixth of next month, but I need to ask you, were you and your wife having any marital problems before the night of the assault?’

David had tried to think back. He’d been so involved with his financial worries he’d lost track of the actual state of their marriage in those past few months. There hadn’t been a lot of sex, but then again, he’d been coming in so late . . .

‘I suppose there was a kind of breakdown in communication,’ David replied, ‘but we didn’t really argue, and apart from that one time I would never have dreamed of hurting her.’

‘It’s just that . . .’ Diana shook her head. ‘Usually the wife would at least give the husband a chance to explain himself. I’m not trying to excuse your behaviour, but surely, if she loves you, she’d look at the circumstances and at least try to understand why you behaved as you did?’

‘Maybe she’s frightened of me.’

‘Maybe she is, but don’t forget, she knows she lied to you about wanting a baby. I would have thought she’d want to try and sort things out, if only for Rory’s sake. It seems very odd to me. Anyway, I’ll write and we’ll see what happens.’

David had spent the next few days pacing up and down the small cottage kitchen in an agony of suspense. Finally, a week later, Diana had called him into her office.

‘What does she say?’ he’d asked.

‘Well, I’m afraid there’s good and bad news,’ Diana had replied gently. ‘Your wife is prepared to drop the assault charge and lift the restraining order.’

David felt his heart surge with hope.

‘But,’ she added, ‘in return, she wants a quickie divorce. She’ll base her petition on unreasonable behaviour and leave it at that, as long as you don’t contest it.’

‘What?’ David was stunned.

‘In addition, Rory will continue living with her in the family home.’

David was beginning to feel sick. His hands shook.

‘But why does she want a divorce? We haven’t discussed anything. She probably doesn’t even realise I’ve lost my job. If she did, she’d know we have to sell the house.’

‘From what her lawyer says, that’s irrelevant,’ said Diana. ‘Your wife says she wants to buy you out.’