‘You know, I’d have lived with him if I hadn’t seen it was bad for him. We got along so damned well.’

‘Outside of your personal appearance.’

‘Oh he’d have gotten used to that.’

She put out her cigarette.

‘I’m thirty-four, you know. I’m not going to be one of these bitches that ruins children.’

‘No.’

‘I’m not going to be that way. I feel rather good, you know. I feel rather set up.’

‘Good.’

She looked away. I thought she was looking for another cigarette. Then I saw she was crying. I could feel her crying. Shaking and crying. She wouldn’t look up. I put my arms around her.

‘Don’t let’s ever talk about it. Please don’t let’s ever talk about it.’

‘Dear Brett.’

‘I’m going back to Mike.’ I could feel her crying as I held her close. ‘He’s so damned nice and he’s so awful. He’s my sort of thing.’

She would not look up. I stroked her hair. I could feel her shaking.

‘I won’t be one of those bitches,’ she said. ‘But, oh, Jake, please let’s never talk about it.’