‘I know you’re not well, but I just wanted to share the good news,’ he says. ‘The bank have agreed to extend our loan. Jane Prescott, the contact you suggested, is sending us a letter to confirm it.’

‘Thank you, Ted.’

‘Feel better soon.’

I put the phone down. Ted’s news has not made me feel any better. What I once craved so badly, and would have made me jubilant, seems irrelevant now that I have fallen out with Miles.

36

Miles

I leave work early and drive home. When I open the front door, Mother is standing in the hallway, dressed in pale shades of khaki green, scrutinising our wedding photograph and frowning. She looks up, sees me watching her and puts it down hurriedly.

‘Are you all right?’ I ask.

She smiles her slow stretched smile. ‘Never better. And you?’

Never worse, I think but don’t say.

‘Your wife is upstairs in your bedroom. She didn’t go to work today.’

I dash up the stairs two at a time, and fling the bedroom door open. There is a lump in the bed, topped by your tear-stained face. I rush towards you.

‘Let’s put the past where it belongs – behind us. I love you. I can’t live without you.’ I kiss you. ‘I love the passion that you feel for me.’

37

Saffron

Miles is here. Telling me he loves me. That he loves the passion I feel for him. I am holding him against me. He kisses me.

My heart sings with happiness. My life begins again.

38

Caprice

I’m hovering in the kitchen, waiting to talk to Miles. I’m slowly pottering, making fresh coffee in the cafetiere, hoping to catch him alone. Excitement has been simmering in the pit of my stomach since hearing you shouting yesterday morning. I’m waiting to find out when he’s leaving you, Saffron. You’ll have to move out. I put money into this house and have a charge against it, which I will require to be repaid, if you try to stay living here.

I look out of the kitchen window onto a sunny autumn morning. Wind toys with dying leaves, playing with them as they fall to the ground. A swathe of gold and russet carpets the play area; the swings and slide that the boys so adore.

The boys. Ben and Harry, my grandsons. My stomach tightens. Does the fact that you are their mother give you some sort of legal priority over the house? Despite all the charges I have taken out to protect the Jackson side of the family? You’ll not get a penny if I can help it. I’ll go and see my lawyer, first thing tomorrow.