‘Christmas is next month. But our divorce became final today.’

‘Fancy you remembering.’

‘I didn’t,’ he said in swift chagrin. ‘I thought it wasn’t until next week, and I-never mind! Admit it. You’re celebrating getting rid of me, aren’t you?’

‘Yes!’

He gave her a crooked grin. ‘No need to do it this way. You could have said, “Jake-vanish!”’

‘I did.’

But it was useless. He’d gone into clowning mode, which he often did when something had affected him more than he wanted to show, although she couldn’t think why he was bothered about this. He’d gained the freedom from her that he’d always secretly wanted.

‘You should have dropped me a hint, sweetheart,’ he went on. ‘I could have jumped off a bridge, vanished into the jungle-instant disappearances are my speciality.’

‘You’re impossible!’ she said, exasperated.

‘Of course I am. That’s why you divorced me.’

‘That and other reasons.’

‘It’s also why you married me.’

‘Let’s draw a line under that.’

‘Some lines aren’t so easily drawn.’ For some reason there was real anger in his voice.

‘You stop that,’ she said swiftly. ‘You messed up my life once before, but I escaped and you’re not going to do it again.’

‘Is that all our marriage was to you? Messing up your life? And our divorce-an escape?’

‘As much for you as for me,’ she said, recovering herself. ‘Think how you’ll enjoy your freedom now when the luscious ladies crowd around.’

‘But I always came home to you,’ he observed quietly.

‘Eventually-yes. And I was supposed to be grateful.’

‘That’s not-’

He broke off, exasperated as some new arrivals interrupted them. A young woman threw her arms around Kelly and pressed a gift on her.

‘This is from Harry. He’s terribly sorry he couldn’t get back in time, but he sends you this, and says he’ll call in a few days. He misses you terribly.’

‘I miss him,’ Kelly said, unwrapping the gift which turned out to be a small alabaster figure, exquisite and costly. ‘This is so lovely.’