‘And is that where you go when you’re not here? To her and her children and your other life as a what, a fucking violinist? I didn’t even know you could play the bloody violin.’ Melissa’s anger was building now as all the ramifications of what had been going on under her nose for nearly two decades finally started to dawn on her. ‘It’s against the law, you know, being married to two women at once. You could go to prison. And it would bloody well serve you right,’ she added.

The colour seeped from Ray’s face and his jaw tightened. ‘Let’s not be hasty, Missy,’ he said. ‘I love you. And Leah too. I know I’ve been an idiot but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want you both.’

‘That’s your bloody trouble!’ shouted Melissa. ‘You want everything. Well, you can’t have it. Does she know? Your wife? Your other wife? Is that why you told me to steer clear of her? Scared we’d start comparing notes? She came back, you know, and I let her in, not that she said anything. She kept your dirty little secret for you. I reckon she does know, though. She’s not as stupid as me. Maybe she’ll report you to the police, too.’

‘There’s no need for that,’ Ray said, his eyes wide like a little boy’s. ‘Everything’s worked for years without any problems. I’ve made it work. Why should that change just because it’s all out in the open?’

Melissa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘Bigamy is illegal, Ray. Illegal! Do you know what that means? And you’ve lied to me. You’ve been lying to me from day one. Do you think I can just forget about that and carry on like nothing’s happened? Well, here’s some news for you. I can’t. And I won’t. I’m worth more than that and I owe it to Leah, too. You can pack your bags and get out. Go back to Grace, the poor bitch. I never want to see you again.’

‘But Melissa . . .’ he began.

‘I mean it. I want you gone. Now!’ Melissa got to her feet as if she were scaring away a stray cat. She wobbled a little, the alcohol rushing to her head. ‘Get out!’ she screamed.

Ray’s expression changed in an instant from imploring to angry. ‘Fine,’ he said flatly. ‘I’ll go if that’s what you want. But don’t expect me to come crawling back. That’ll be it. You’ll never see me again. I mean it,’ he added, in case there was any room for doubt.

Melissa just shrugged. ‘You can do what the hell you like,’ she said. ‘That’s pretty much what you’ve been doing from the start anyway.’