I think we should go.” And they went, the two of them, gathering their coats and walking out the front door while Liam trailed after them pleading, his explanations dissolving in the air behind them.

When the door shut, Liam rounded on me.

“Do you have any idea what you just did to my career?

To my reputation?” “I didn’t do anything to you, Liam,” I said, and I picked up my coat and my bag.

“You did this to yourself, the moment you walked out of that hospital.

I only answered a question honestly at my own dinner table.” “Are you seriously going to walk out on our marriage now?” he shouted, and behind him Brenda gasped as though I were the one doing something monstrous.

“I’ll be in touch through my lawyer,” I said, “once I’ve filed for divorce.” And I walked out the door, calmly, for the last time, and I did not slam it, because there was no anger left in me to slam it with, only a great and settled quiet.