‘Isn’t there someone else who can go? I mean, someone with more knowledge of the technology?’ It had been the wrong thing to say and she swiftly corrected herself. ‘I mean, your strength is sales…’

‘You don’t get it do you, Claire? If I don’t deliver this product on time, there will be no sale.’

‘Okay,’ replied Claire, slowly. ‘What time is your flight tomorrow?’

‘I’m leaving in the early hours. There’s a six thirty a.m. to Frankfurt.’

‘What?’

‘The sooner I get there, the sooner, I can start work.’

‘But surely there’s a later flight that means you could get a good night’s sleep first,’ protested Claire.

‘I can’t sleep with all this developer crap going around in my head. And being here…’

‘Being here what?’ replied Claire, dangerously.

‘Well, it’s hardly a relaxing environment to come home to is it, with all this stuff with Joshua going on.’

‘All this stuff? Chris – this is your son!’ exclaimed Claire. ‘We need to talk about it – not have you dash off again.’

‘I’m sorry – I can’t deal with this now. I’ve talked to Joshua. He’s knows I’m there for him but now it’s up to the lawyers.’

Claire watched in disbelief as he picked up his suitcase and walked out of the bedroom.

‘Chris!’ she shouted, not caring if she woke Jamie. ‘Where are you going?’

He ignored her and carried on walking onto the landing. He was halfway down the stairs when she felt a murderous rage rise up in her and she ran after him.

‘You can’t just up and leave like this!’ Her face was contorted but her eyes were dry. She was fed up of handling everything by herself and his selfishness scored through her like a deep paper cut.

He looked back at her then, his eyes blazing. ‘Watch me,’ he replied, and he turned away from her and continued down the stairs. He was on the penultimate step when Claire pushed him hard and she watched as he flew forward, headfirst. He’d let go of the holdall to put his hands out to break his fall, the bag coming to a stop at the foot of the stairs with a thud.

He sat up, stunned, his expression of disbelief mirroring hers, and she waited in fear for his reaction. But none came and as he got to his feet, picked up the bag, and left the house without a word, she let out a scream of frustration.

*