‘Now you’re making us sound old, Greg,’ Sienna says. Although he is forty-two, she still has a couple of years to go before she reaches his decade. Given that Abby has only just turned thirty-five and Rob is only a year older, she’s sure they won’t be offended by her statement.

Rob nudges Greg. ‘Does anyone remember that TV show where the husbands swapped wives – how on earth did they get away with that one?’

‘It wasn’t like that.’ Abby tuts. ‘I think the wives just had to be in charge of the other husband’s home and kids or something like that. Run the household? Although it was called Wife Swap, and don’t get me started on everything that’s wrong with that title!’

Sienna only has a vague recollection of this show, but suddenly she’s intrigued. ‘So how did it work exactly?’

As Abby explains the format, the seed of an idea plants itself in Sienna’s mind. She and Greg need to live a little, to have experiences together that they can talk about as they grow older. Isn’t this what life is about? They need to do things they can laugh about, things they’ll wonder how they ever got away with. Maybe this is what’s missing from their marriage.

This is what floats around Sienna’s head, everything her mind allows her to believe. ‘We should do it!’ she blurts out, placing down her glass.

Silence follows and all three of them turn and stare at her.

‘No, no, I don’t mean like that, but how funny would it be if, say, we spent the night in each other’s homes with each other’s partners – just for fun? Just to live a different life for a few hours. That’s all it would be.’

Greg is the first to object. ‘That’s ridiculous, Sienna!’

But now that she’s come out with the idea, she won’t be deterred. She’s determined to talk them all around, to see it through, not only because she doesn’t want to look like a fool for suggesting such a wild idea, but because she’s already convinced herself that this is something they all need to do.

Now they’re all turning to each other and Rob smiles nervously. ‘I don’t know,’ he says. ‘It sounds a bit… wild?’

But Sienna is on a roll. ‘Wait, just hear me out. I’m definitely not suggesting anyone… you know, is unfaithful. This isn’t about sex. Or cheating. Look, you’re all mocking those people who do those reality TV shows, but at least they’re living their lives. They’re not scared, stuck in their comfort zones, afraid to be adventurous, break free of conventions.’

Silence again, but this time it feels different, as though her words are seeping in, planting themselves in their minds, growing despite resistance.