Greg’s office is on the fourth floor and, as she steps out of the lift, she isn’t prepared for the surge of panic, the heaviness in her stomach, the conviction she feels that she won’t be able to take a single step further.

‘Sienna?’

She spins around and Marty is walking towards her. He’s carrying a briefcase and holds a takeaway coffee cup in his other hand. He’s just arrived, then. No surprise given that it’s only just gone seven thirty. ‘Is everything okay? Is he back? Are you with him?’

She shakes her head. ‘No, I’m just here hoping to see him.’

Marty sighs. ‘I still can’t get my head around it.’

Sienna tells him about Greg’s debit card being used in Brighton.

‘So, he could be in today then,’ Marty says. ‘Greg won’t miss work for anything. Come on, I’ll walk with you.’

They head through the corridor. ‘You know Rosa won’t be here yet? She doesn’t start until eight thirty.’

Sienna knows this; she just wants to wait by herself, to have a few moments without having to explain her presence to Rosa. She is hoping Greg will be in early, just as he always is. Not everything has to change, does it? His work life is a separate entity. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she tells Marty. ‘I’ll just wait for him.’

A look passes over Marty’s face – is it pity? Sienna doesn’t need or want that.

‘What will be, will be,’ she says. ‘I’m just here to talk. If our marriage is over, then I’ll deal with that, but I need to at least close this chapter properly.’

Marty nods. ‘Why don’t you come and wait in my office? Greg’s will be locked. I can keep checking for you. Actually, he usually pops his head in to see me before he gets started for the day, so…’

‘Yes, and I’m sure he will today. I imagine you’ve got a lot to catch up on.’ Maybe this is a better plan; Greg won’t be expecting her to be here, so finding her in Marty’s office will ensure he has no time to contrive excuses.

By eight thirty there is no sign of Greg. Sienna heads to his office, where she finds Rosa sitting at her desk.

‘Hi, he’s not in yet then?’ Sienna keeps her tone light, even though inside she’s crumbling.

Rosa shakes her head. ‘No, I’m sorry.’ She frowns. ‘The police searched his office the other day, but I still thought he’d turn up today. I can’t think of a single time when he’s been in later than me.’

‘So there’s no message from him anywhere? Nothing about cancelling appointments or surgeries?’

‘No, nothing. Sienna, I’m so sorry. I just—’