The bubble of romance burst, and Molly regretted having said a word. She was relieved when Amelia changed the conversation.

‘How are the kids enjoying Paris and Boston?’

‘Great. They love it.’

‘You must miss them terribly.’

‘I was never a stay-at-home mother, so although we’re very close, I’m happy they’re following their dreams.’ Words she’d said to herself so often she almost believed them. Who was she trying to fool? Sadness pushed the corners of her mouth down. ‘That’s the official story, the one I trot out when anyone comments. Nobody has ever challenged it, but the truth is I miss them like hell. The house is like a mausoleum without them clattering around.’ She gave a short laugh and turned to look up at Amelia. ‘I bet you’re sorry you asked now?’

‘No, I’m not. You looked a little sad, sometimes it’s good to talk. It sounds to me as if you’re suffering empty nest syndrome. It’s very common.’

A frisson of irritation flashed through Molly. She didn’t want to be defined by some pseudo-psychological bullshit. ‘Perhaps,’ she said, her voice a shade cool.

‘I bet you’re menopausal too.’ Oblivious to the effect her words were having, Amelia leaned down and used the ladle to throw water over the hot rocks, sending a burst of steam into the room, raising the temperature.

Molly wanted to stand up, storm out of the sauna and from the hotel, but she didn’t. She wasn’t a stupid woman and despite her suspicions about Amelia and Jack, there was something in what her annoying friend was saying. Maybe Molly had been overthinking everything; all her worries and concerns the result of hormones and a bloody empty nest. It might be that Amelia had hit the damn nail squarely on its tiny little head.

‘No, I’m not menopausal,’ Molly lied automatically. Denial, it wasn’t a bad place to linger. ‘That joy still awaits me.’

‘Then perhaps you’re in a rut. You should try something new, do something different.’ A trace of boredom crept into Amelia’s voice and a few minutes later, she stood and stretched. ‘I’d better go. I’ll see you later.’

Molly followed her out and headed into the steam room. There were other people there, a couple of younger women with their heads together discussing something important in murmured undertones and an overweight man who appeared to have fallen asleep, a gentle snore coming from his direction.