Satisfied that everything is as it should be, that if I came home and something was out of place I would know, I usher Sadie out and tug the front door closed, checking it twice, then again that the door is double locked.

‘All set?’ Sadie asks, as I turn and look over the front of the house, making sure all the front windows are closed.

‘All set,’ I say with a small smile, as the telephone starts to ring behind the tightly locked door.

Hours later, we are in the café at Harrods, a superfood salad in front of each of us, along with a glass of champagne. I would rather have had the cinnamon apple braffle – a Harrods speciality – but when Sadie ordered a salad, I felt I had to do the same. I pick at it listlessly, not enjoying the combination of beetroot and goat’s cheese. I realize that Sadie has picked out her goat’s cheese and left it to one side, so I don’t feel so guilty about doing the same. My feet are throbbing, my Am Ex has taken a beating, but I would still rather be sitting here, with a lunch I don’t want to eat, than be at home on my own.

‘Is everything all right, Emily?’ Sadie takes a sip of her champagne, still looking as immaculate as she did when she picked me up. Her black bob is still sleek and her make-up perfect, whereas when I went to the Ladies I had to smooth down my curls and lick my finger to get rid of the slight smudge of mascara that was under my eyes. ‘You seem a little… I don’t know – subdued, maybe? Not your usual bubbly self.’

I take a deep breath and fork a mouthful of salad into my mouth to buy myself a few seconds before I respond. Do I really want to confide in Sadie? She has been a lot nicer to me recently than she was at first, but I am still aware that she has been friends with Rupert for a long time. ‘Yes, of course. I’m fine.’ But as I speak my eyes fill with tears and a wave of tiredness washes over me.

‘Oh?’ Sadie raises an eyebrow, before she reaches over and scoops up my hand, holding it tightly. ‘Your face rather says otherwise. Darling, you can tell me. I’m always here if you need to talk. Caro and I always used to talk about things, get them off our chests. What seems to be the matter?’

‘I think I’m just being silly,’ I say, blinking rapidly. ‘Things have happened since the wedding that feel a little… off. I don’t know, I think maybe I’m going mad.’ I force out a breath that could be taken for a huff of laughter.