‘I don’t mind,’ I say, ever the peacemaker. Rupert seems to be in an odd mood, not his usual self. He hasn’t pulled me into his arms, or kissed me properly, just a dry peck on the cheek. There is an aura about him, something fizzing and volatile. ‘Why don’t you go up and have a shower? Dinner will be ready soon.’

I give him a winning smile and feel myself relax as he smiles back. Maybe I’m reading too much into things. It’s hard to know how to respond after being with Harry and his unpredictable reactions.

‘Emily, I think we need to talk.’ Rupert’s voice is grave, and I feel the smile slide right off my face as I pass him the rice. I look down at the tablecloth, straightening my knife and fork so they are the exact same distance apart.

‘Yes,’ I say eventually, ‘I think we probably do. Listen, Rupert, I’m sorry for what I said about Caro… about Caro still being here. I was wrong. I know I shouldn’t have but I—’

‘It’s not about Caro,’ Rupert says, talking over me before I can confess to rummaging through the paperwork in the shed.

I reach for my wine, my eyes never leaving his face as my pulse starts to increase, a steady beat I can feel in my temple.

‘I had a visitor today. Well, no, that’s not strictly right. I agreed to meet with someone today,’ Rupert says.

‘Who?’

‘A man called Henry Carpenter. Harry.’

Rupert waits for a moment, as I sit there unable to speak. A wave of dizziness washes over me and I swear I can feel the blood drain from my face.

‘Harry?’ I whisper. My hand goes to my throat and I massage the skin there, hoping to ease the lump that rises. ‘What did he say to you, Rupert?’

‘Some pretty vile stuff, to be honest.’ Rupert stalls, taking a sip of his wine. He watches me as I reach for the glass of water on the table next to me, my wedding ring spinning on my finger as I do so. I’ve lost so much weight without even trying, thanks to the stress I’ve been under.

‘Please, Rupert, don’t just look at me like that,’ hot tears burn my eyes, ‘will you just tell me what he said?’ I blink, and a fat tear slides over my bottom lashes.

‘He said that the two of you had an affair. That you worked for him, seduced him, and then when he told you he didn’t want you anymore you turned into a psychopath. Stalking him, breaking into his house.’

‘Oh my God.’ My heart is pounding fit to burst out of my chest, and that old familiar sick feeling that I will always associate with Harry makes my stomach roll. ‘Do you believe him?’

Rupert says nothing for a moment.