‘No, no. Nothing like that.’ I’m a little taken aback by the abruptness of his tone. His instant assumption that I’ve changed my mind. But I brush over it for now, so I can share my concern with him. ‘I was watching on the SmartRing app, so I saw how many people turned up.’

‘Oh, right. Good. Well, did it go well? Any interested parties?’

‘People turned up, yes – I haven’t had feedback from Carl yet as to interest, though. But I counted thirteen people going inside—’

‘That’s hopeful.’

‘Yes, you’d think,’ I say. ‘Thirteen people came into my house, but I only counted twelve going back out again.’

The line goes quiet.

‘Are you sure?’

I’m not. I’m fairly certain, but without being able to watch the footage again and recount, I can’t categorically state this as fact. I tell Richard this, and as suspected he, like Jo, simply dismisses it as a miscount.

‘It’s still disconcerting, Richard. I’m alone here with the kids. I’m feeling a little on edge thinking someone is in my home still. Can you drive down? You could be here in four hours.’

‘I can’t, babe, sorry. I’ve got to be in work by seven tomorrow morning. Can one of your friends stay with you?’

‘Probably, if I asked. I only just left Jo and Keeley’s though. They did us lunch and we stayed all afternoon; I don’t feel I could ask more of them.’

‘Barb?’ Richard says, very quietly.

‘Absolutely not. I haven’t had a chance to tell you the latest on her, but no. I don’t want her staying here more than she has to, thanks. Look, it’s fine. I’ll get over it, and by morning when I’m rushing around like a headless chicken trying to get the boys ready for school, I shan’t give it another thought. It’s only because I know people have been traipsing around my house, I’m a little oversensitive, that’s all.’

‘That’s my girl.’

My smile is forced; I’m glad we’re not FaceTiming.

‘Right, well. I’ll let you go, then,’ I say. ‘Battery is about to die.’

‘I’ll text when I can tomorrow, Amber. But if you need me, do call. I’ll make an excuse to leave the office to speak to you.’

‘Okay, thank you.’

‘Speak soon, babe. I love you,’ Richard says. I reciprocate the sentiment before hanging up. The distance between us is such a challenge sometimes – if he lived close by, he’d have not thought twice about coming over and I’d certainly feel safer with him here. I curse his job, too. His long hours as a system analyst in an IT consultancy firm offer no flexibility. I remind myself it’s all temporary. Soon we’ll all be together properly. Please let it be soon.