Julian bristled. ‘For God’s sake, Nina, this isn’t the time for a scene. Sure we’ve got to talk, but not like this.’

She sent a box of dental floss, her final missile, zinging across the room and threw the washbag back onto the bed. ‘I lost my best friend. I hurt the man who loved me. I embarrassed my parents. To this day, there are people in Kilmitten who look at me like I’m not to be trusted.’

‘That says more about them than it does about you.’

‘I gave up a lot.’

Julian was retrieving his toiletries. ‘You did what you wanted to do. You were bored out of your mind and ready to move on. I provided an escape. Don’t paint yourself as some saintly innocent.’

‘I wasn’t bored. That’s not true. And I never expected that you’d treat me like this.’

‘You’re overwrought,’ he said, as he bent to collect the shaving foam. ‘We can discuss everything when I get back.’

Nina rocked on her heels. ‘Stop patronising me. I’m not “overwrought”, I’m angry. I have every right to be.’

He placed the bag, minus a couple of lost items, in the case and zipped it up. ‘I didn’t want us to end up like this. I’d like to sort everything out with as little fuss as possible.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘We both know our marriage is over.’

‘I see. You want us to separate, so you can live with Ms Lycra Pants. Is that what you’re saying?’

Julian lifted the case from the bed. ‘This isn’t the time to get emotional. I know it isn’t easy, but we can talk about it all next week. We’ll have to include Bea and Alannah too.’

Nina closed her eyes. She urged herself to sound strong. She didn’t want to be whiny. She didn’t want to be a victim. A loser. The scorned woman.

She opened them again. ‘Do me a favour and give your mistress a word of advice.’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘Her lips are horrendous. No lie, they’re the worst I’ve seen. If you paid for them, you should ask for a refund.’

Julian’s mouth swung open. He looked at her as if she was mad. Perhaps she was.

Nina turned towards the door. She didn’t want him to see her face. Like he’d said, this wasn’t the time to get emotional.

Chapter 37