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She finished another mouthful. ‘I assumed you’d have messaged if there’d been any problems?’

‘What about Joseph? Have you called him?’

Removing the glass from her lips, she frowned at him. ‘What’s wrong with you today?’

‘Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. I just thought you might want to find out how our son was, on his first day away from home.’

‘It’s not his first day away from home. And, like he said, he’ll probably be back again next weekend with his washing. Anyway, I was going to ring him later.’

Rolling her eyes, she headed back to the fridge which, being a Friday, was devoid of anything that could be assembled into a meal. She took out her phone, began to browse Deliveroo and was about to make the suggestion of Thai, when her gaze fell on two large suitcases.

‘Did you pack for me?’ she asked, suddenly realising that job had been on her to-do list all week. ‘You didn’t have to do that. When did you find the time? I was going to check the weather, anyway. You know I prefer to sort things out myself.’

‘I didn’t pack for you.’

‘You didn’t?’

It took a few seconds for her to think of another explanation.

‘Shit,’ she said. ‘Have you rung Joseph? Does he know he’s forgotten them?’

Her question was met with silence.

‘Stephen, did you hear me? Does Joseph know he left these behind?’

‘They’re not Joseph’s bags,’ he replied.

She shook her head, confused. ‘What do you mean, they’re not his bags?’

‘They’re mine.’

She shook her head again and went back to her phone.

‘That’s ridiculous, Stephen, we’re only going for a week. And we’ll probably spend most of the time in the spa anyway. Why don’t you take them back upstairs and see if there’s something you can get rid of?’

Her suggestion was met with more silence, which hung there ominously.

‘Stephen, did you hear what I said?’

With jaw clenched, he finally lifted his head and looked at her.

‘They’re not for the holiday, Fiona. I’m not going to Brussels. I’m leaving you.’