If only I believed that. The time it’s taking to start this new chapter of my life has stretched and stretched. Any more stretching and it’ll become so thin it might tear.

‘That’s one of the problems. Nothing is moving this end – in fact, I’d say it’s slowing up to the point of stopping entirely. I’m pretty certain my ex-mother-in-law is somehow sabotaging any hopes of a sale.’

The line goes quiet. I’m stopped at traffic lights going out of town, and for a moment think I’ve accidentally disconnected the call.

‘Richard? You still there?’

‘Yeah, I’m here. Look, I know you said she doesn’t want you to leave, but come on … would she really go to those lengths to prevent you from being with me?’

I consider my response for a beat. ‘Yes, I think she might.’

‘You need to keep an eye on her, then,’ Richard says. ‘I’ll try to get down this weekend, I promise.’

‘Excellent. Will you meet her – have a word? Maybe reassure her—’

‘From what you’ve told me about her, I don’t think she’d respond well to that, do you? I’m the person that confirms her son’s marriage is over. It might add fuel to the fire and she’ll make your life even worse.’

‘Good point, and I don’t want to put you in an awkward situation.’

‘Thanks. She sounds so delightful, I do feel I’m missing out.’ He laughs. ‘God, next you’ll be suggesting I meet Nick too!’

‘Hah!’ I laugh. ‘Not yet – although you are going to have to at some point, Richard. He is the father of the boys, and he deserves to meet the man who’s going to be in their lives.’

‘Yes, you’re right, of course. When we’ve settled, we’ll invite him up to Kent. I would prefer to meet him in our new home, not his old one.’

‘Okay,’ I say. I don’t want to push this now; it’s not the right time. And I get that Richard wants to meet my ex on his own terms, his own territory. ‘Well, I’ll look forward to the weekend – I seriously can’t wait to see you. I’ve been saving up all my love …’ I give him my best smouldering voice, then laugh. My flirting skills are so rusty.

‘Cheeky. I can’t wait either. And maybe we should make a back-up plan. I want you out of that house ASAP and if that means we have to reconsider our strategy, then that’s what we’ll have to do.’