She works her way through some dodgy films, darts and a shopping channel, trying not to feel disappointed, hurt. Does he need porn as well as her? She knows Jake was an occasional user, but that was after they’d stopped having sex. And then she acknowledges the thought that she’s been struggling to keep out of her head. It doesn’t feel like the sort of thing Rob would do: slipping out of bed in the middle of the night to watch other couples having sex. Coding, perhaps, answering emails, maybe practising his backhand, but not porn. He doesn’t have enough hours in his day as it is.

She pushes the thought away and alights on France 24, the French news channel, half watching a report about another gilets jaunes riot. It’s followed by an item on the rise of the tech sector in France and the growth of Station F, the world’s largest start-up campus, in Paris’s 13th arrondissement. She’s about to change channels again when news footage of Rob flashes up on the screen. He’s in Brest, talking about the ‘rich digital ecosystems’ of western Brittany. Talking in fluent French.

She holds her hand to her mouth and stares at the screen in disbelief. Rob is hopeless at French. It’s why he’s recently started to have lessons. She’s always been good at languages, speaking decent French and Spanish, and has been teaching him too, marvelling at how little he can recall from his schooldays. She steps closer, listening to the words coming out of this man’s mouth. It looks like Rob – same blinking eyes, shy smile, lanky gait – but it’s not him. She’s sure of it. It can’t be. ‘Jesus,’ she says quietly. The presenter is speaking, but she’s not listening.

She rushes down to Bex’s bedroom, opposite Rob’s office, and opens the door. ‘Bex? Are you awake? Bex?’ She can’t disguise the urgency in her voice.

She’s forgotten what a deep sleeper Bex is.

‘Bex?’ she asks again, rocking her shoulder.

‘What time is it?’ Bex asks, bleary eyed.

‘I’m sorry,’ Kate says. ‘I need to show you something.’

‘It’s one thirty in the bloody morning, Kate,’ Bex says, glancing at her mobile phone on the bedside table and sinking back on her pillow with a groan.

‘I know. I’m really sorry, but it’s important.’

It’s the second time today she’s shared her worries with her. She’s not sure she could cope without Bex.

‘It always is,’ Bex says.

Five minutes later, they’re in the sitting room on the sofa, a confused Stretch at their feet. Bex is watching France 24 while Kate tries to find the footage of Rob on her laptop.