“It was fine last night. At least, I didn’t notice anything.”

“That’s the problem; you don’t notice anything. Which explains why it’s broken. Why so many things in this house get broken.”

“Wait a minute,” she said, putting her toothbrush down and turning to face him. “That’s not—”

“I know, I know. It’s not fair. Don’t worry about it. Derek will buy another one. Derek will sort it,” he snarled before walking away.

What would he say if he saw her now, with her wounds and bloodied blouse?

“What have you done now, you clumsy woman? You’ve ruined your shirt!”

It was in that instant, as she continued down the ravine, that Faye realised that she would leave Derek. At first the thought, contained and clear, surprised her. Then it soothed her. It’s possible she’d toyed with it before, particularly since Zach had left home, but she’d never allowed herself to settle on the idea. Why now? The answer came quickly. She was not afraid. Or was it that she was no longer afraid? Never afraid? It didn’t matter. What did matter was that at last she knew for sure she was not afraid.

She thought about how much had changed since she’d returned to Heuningbos to wait with Clare. Was it really only two days ago? How remarkable that a guileless decision could have such consequences. If she’d continued the hike with the others, Faye wouldn’t have had to test her courage. She would’ve followed Derek. She would still believe herself to be his version of her. “Nobody knows you like I do,” he’d continue to say. She’d believe it. Feed someone the same narrative for long enough and they forget the truth exists. It had taken just two days in the wilderness without him for Faye to realise her husband didn’t know her at all.

Derek would laugh when she told him about her decision. He wouldn’t believe her. Then he would protest. Loudly and indignantly. There was no doubt about that. He would tell her how she’d suffer without him and how ashamed their son would be of her. She would, she resolved, tell Zach as soon as possible about her decision to leave. She wasn’t sure exactly how her son would react, but she suspected Zach would be okay, perhaps even a little proud of his mother.

Her husband would also threaten her with poverty if she left, which would be another ruse. Although she hadn’t worked for two decades, their house had been paid for by her earnings at GNS. She’d consult a lawyer quickly, too. She’d be prepared so that Derek could not intimidate her. She’d have the answers. She’d give them voice. She’d leave.