The silence on the other end of the line was absolute, and it was, I will admit, blissful.

But I want to be honest about what that moment actually was, beneath the small satisfaction of the perfect line, because it was more important than a clever retort.

It was the first time in four years that I had said no to Theresa and meant it, the first time I had let her feel a consequence rather than rushing to spare her one.

For four years, every demand she made, I had met.