The word betrayal keeps popping into my head. But never in a million years could I think Toby is the type of man to cheat. He’s loyal and kind. He has strong family morals. Toby has always been an incredible husband – attentive, loving, considerate, fun. We’ve rarely had a cross word. Of course we have the odd disagreement like any married couple, but on the whole, it’s been a pretty perfect ten years of marriage. Which is one of the main reasons we’re having this party – to celebrate that fact.

Toby loves me. He wouldn’t jeopardise what we have. It’s part of why I love him so much. The absolute trust I have in our relationship. No, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he really was intervening with Madeline on my behalf. Asking her if anything’s wrong. But, honestly, that doesn’t sound like the type of thing Toby would do – not without running it past me first. I’ll just have to hope he brings it up when I get home. Best case scenario is he says, ‘Oh, hey, guess what, I spoke to Madeline today and she explained why she was acting so funny.’

Finally, the day is over and I’m able to leave work. But I still have to pick up the children from after-school club. Somehow, I manage to get through all that without breaking down and calling Toby to ask him outright. This is a conversation that will be best handled face to face. And I need to be calm, because there could be a perfectly innocent explanation.

Back home, there’s no sign of my husband’s van, and the house is dark. All my nervous energy suddenly dissipates, and I’m overwhelmed with exhaustion, my shoulders sagging.

‘Come on, you two, in you go.’ I usher Jamie and Alice inside and turn on the hall light. The house is warm, but it feels somehow strange to me. I keep thinking about Toby and Madeline being in here today. I wonder which room they went into. ‘Hang up your coats. Jamie, don’t leave your shoes in the middle of the hallway!’

‘I was going to move them, Mummy, but I’m doing my coat first.’

Guilt tugs at my chest. I shouldn’t take out my worries on my children. ‘Sorry, Jamie, you’re being really helpful.’ My phone pings, but I ignore it for the moment.

‘Am I being helpful too?’ Alice asks. ‘Shall I help make dinner?’

‘That would be very nice.’ I pull the children in close for a hug, kissing the tops of their heads. Their hair smells of shampoo and cold air. ‘Guess what?’

‘What?’ They both reply.

I release them from our hug and root about in my bag, pulling out a couple of items. ‘I bought more fish fingers and chips!’ I wave the packs in the air.

‘Yay!’ Alice cries.