It was in a tiny shared house in Swindon that I finally understood that TPR did not love me. For years he had been in a secret relationship with OC, and his role as my husband was just a front. This explained his lack of interest in decorating, and his failure to appreciate my distress at the peeling green wallpaper in the porch.

All this came to light the day that I cycled to the gym for a swim – forgetting to lock my bike, leaving my towel at home, and nearly getting killed crossing the main road.