Leo never apologised. But I could see how guilty he felt, crouched in the corner. And for the two months I was wearing my cast, he was so loving to me. He did everything for me whilst I was in plaster, and made me feel so special. We had such a peaceful time.

Moreover, he knew how to shmooze, and he did so beautifully. It was one of the reasons I fell for him. More than that, though, his temperament changed. He became vulnerable and begged me to love him; he seemed weaker, softer and would mesmerise me with his words. Perhaps Leo really had seen the error of his ways, and had finally realised how he affected me. Perhaps he actually cared.

For a short while, I had freedom in my marriage. I could be myself, relax, say whatever I wanted and Leo would still be kind. In that brief instance, he showed me what felt like real love. I felt it and returned it. I prayed it would stay like this. Surely it could stay like this.