There’s a prolonged silence after Nick says his piece. I mull his words over in my mind. He’s right, of course. I can’t do anything without his signature. I don’t want to cause an argument now. I asked him over here and all I’ve done is create a terrible atmosphere. I don’t really know what I expected to gain from bringing up Eastbourne, or about selling to the developers – I think I wanted him to say either one of them was a great idea. Maybe I was hoping for reassurance. Or some kind of eureka moment whereby he said something that suddenly made everything clear to me. I wanted him to make a decision for me. Just like old times.

‘I’m sorry for dragging you over here and then causing upset,’ I say.

‘It’s fine. But maybe we can talk about something else?’

I nod. ‘How’s your day been?’

Nick’s face softens. A smile replaces the harsh line his lips have been in the last few minutes.

‘I miss coming home to you and sharing my day.’

‘You rarely shared anything with me, Nick. You’d come home, climb in the shower, eat, then fall asleep on the sofa and snore so loudly I wouldn’t be able to hear the telly.’

He laughs. ‘Don’t dress it up, will you? And I did talk to you. A bit, anyway. But now there’s not even the option.’

‘And whatsherface? How come you’re not sharing stuff with her anymore?’

The silence stretches. Then I hear him take a ragged breath.

‘That’s over.’

As simply put as that. All the trouble that home-wrecker caused and she’s not even on the scene anymore. I thought I’d be pleased, but instead I’m angry. In a way, though, she did me a favour – she enabled me to see who Nick really was. She exposed the cracks of the marriage and then sat back, watching, while it broke apart totally. But to think it was for nothing hurts. I try to remember I have found someone who will treat me better, though. It’s irrelevant now how and why me and Nick split up; I need to focus on the future.

‘It’s late,’ I say, changing the subject.

‘Yes. I’d best get going.’ Nick pushes himself up off the sofa. ‘I’m so stupid. I should’ve known better,’ he says. ‘You and the boys were the best part of my life and I screwed it up.’

‘Yes. You did.’

‘I honestly want you to be happy, Amber. I know my mother doesn’t understand that and is trying ridiculously hard to turn back the clock for me. But as long as Richard is good for you, and he makes you happier than I ever could, that’s all that matters now.’