‘Nick, no,’ she said, trying to shut the door, but the pain in her eyes was more than he could bear and he eased the door open and went in, closing it softly behind him.

      She turned away and he followed her, catching her shoulders and turning her gently to face him. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, but she held his gaze defiantly.

      ‘I don’t recall inviting you in,’ she said, and her voice was cold. ‘You might like to leave before I call the police.’

      A sensible man would have walked away, but Nick had never been sensible where Sally was concerned. He shook his head.