‘Sorry, this will only take five minutes,’ he had said apologetically. ‘It’s important.’

She had led him into her office. He didn’t take a seat.

‘I think I should action a Power of Attorney,’ he had blurted out.

Francesca’s face had fallen into shock. ‘What’s brought this on?’

‘Leah’s relapsing. She says she’s going to make an appointment to see you but I don’t think she has?’ George asked.

‘I can’t disclose patient details, George. You know that.’

‘But would you support me? Be prepared to say Leah has diminished mental capacity?’

‘How can I possibly say that? I haven’t assessed her.’

‘But you know her really well. You know us both. You remember what happened the last time?’

‘Of course I do. Who could forget that but—’

‘She’s heading the same way again. I’m sorry to suddenly spring this on you. I’ve only just looked into it and I was passing and… well. Cards on the table. I’m scared. Leah was so close to being sectioned before and where would that have left me, financially? I’d have had to cut down on work to look after Archie and I wouldn’t have been able to access Leah’s royalties or her accounts. Not to mention the fact the house is in her name.’

‘But she wasn’t sectioned,’ Francesca had said. ‘We uncovered the reason behind her behaviour and…’

‘I know.’ George ran his hand over his chin. ‘But I’m beginning to wonder whether she would have been better off… Whether she might be better off…’

‘George, I don’t like where this conversation is going. I can’t condone you considering institutionalizing your wife. Besides, she’s no longer a patient of mine. What you’re asking is unethical and—’

‘Sorry… it’s just the anniversary.’ George felt hot. Too hot. He loosened his tie and undid his top button. ‘It’s Archie I’m thinking of, that’s all.’

‘My next patient is waiting.’ Francesca had said quietly. George had slunk back to his car.

He’s never going to be able to sleep. George thumps his pillow. Leah mutters and rolls over.

He wants to shake her awake. Unburden himself.

‘It’s so hard keeping secrets,’ Tash had tearfully said, earlier.

He reaches for his mobile and texts her.

It’s hard for me too x

Chapter Twenty-Two

Leah

Now

I’m thinking of getting up and making Archie’s breakfast when he bursts into my bedroom and cannonballs himself onto our bed. George heads into the bathroom. The sound of him sliding the bolt across the door is akin to the sound of someone running their fingernails down a blackboard. I don’t know why he’s started locking it. There’s only the three of us in the house. I hear the spurt of water from the shower, the gurgle of the pipes. The quiet tones of his voice; I wonder who he is talking to this early but I don’t think about it for long because Archie says, ‘Mummy! Can I wear my fire engine socks today? I like the blue Power Ranger best. When are we going to have green jelly again?’