I stop pacing and sit at the table, annoyed by the tears of self-pity and anger that are threatening to fall. I sniff loudly and snatch up my phone again, this time calling the one person I trust to know what to do.

‘Hi, Zo.’

‘Toby, are you busy?’

‘We’re laying a patio over in Fontmell Magna.’

‘Oh, okay, don’t worry. I’ll speak to you later.’

‘What is it?’

I will myself to sound calm. ‘Nothing. I was just seeing if you were free to come home for lunch, but—’

‘Hang on a sec…’

‘Toby…’ But he’s not listening. I hear muffled voices down the line, but I can’t make out what they’re saying.

‘Zo?’

‘Yeah, I’m still here.’

‘I’ll be back in twenty minutes. Can you make me a sandwich?’

‘You don’t have to.’

‘I want to.’

‘What about the patio?’

‘Dad and Nick can manage for a bit. We were off to the pub for lunch anyway.’

‘Okay, see you soon.’

I feel instantly better now that I know Toby’s on his way back. He’ll know what to do. And even if he doesn’t, it will help to have someone to talk to about things. He already knows how shaky things have been in the past between me and Dina. Okay, so he doesn’t know everything. But that doesn’t matter.

I busy myself making us both a cheese salad sandwich until finally I hear his key in the lock.

‘Hey!’ he calls out.

‘Hey, in here,’ I reply.

Toby comes through to the kitchen, rubbing his hands together, bringing with him the fresh scents of damp earth and cold air. ‘You okay? That sarnie looks amazing. I’m starving.’ He gives me a lingering kiss followed by a hug.

‘I’m really glad you’re here, Tobes. Sit down. Do you want tea?’

‘Please, that would be great. You all right? You sounded wobbly on the phone.’

‘It’s Dina. But it’s probably nothing.’

Toby washes his hands at the kitchen sink. ‘Oh yeah? What’s happened?’ He sits at the table, picks up half his sandwich and takes a huge bite.

‘Her phone number doesn’t work anymore. It says it’s not in service.’

‘So maybe she lost it. Or got a new one.’

‘But now I have no way of getting in touch with her.’

‘I’m sure she’ll let you know her new number once she gets one.’

I set my husband’s mug of tea in front of him and take a seat opposite.

‘Are you really that worried about it?’ he continues.

I pick at the corner of my sandwich, breaking off a piece of crust and squashing it between my thumb and forefinger.

‘Zoe?’

‘I’m just… I was over at Dad’s this morning, telling him about the baby, and he didn’t even seem that bothered.’