She had said it. For all her good intentions of holding it in until after Christmas, for the children’s sake, Dominique had failed.

She wasn’t sure why she had chosen now to say those words. Perhaps because she liked the crackers and at that moment they seemed to symbolise every difference, large and small, that the couple had. Perhaps she was sick of being the hypocrite Ruby accused her of. Perhaps, simply because the washing-up gave her an excuse to look elsewhere, so she didn’t have to meet Benjamin’s eye as she exploded the lie their life had become.

She stared hard at the soap suds, fascinated by them, as she spoke the words again, to prove to herself that she had the courage.

‘I know you’re having an affair.’

‘What on earth are you talking about?’ he said, voice calm. ‘Is this one of your funny dreams?’

The thump of hurt and resentment her heart gave made her flinch, but she carried on dabbing at the fragile glass bowl she was holding. It sparkled as she lifted it, the delicate carvings seeming to come to life for a moment as the light played across them.

She forced her voice to be as calm as his. She needed to bring the ice queen out.

‘No, it’s not one of my dreams, Benjamin. You aren’t married to an idiot – unfortunately for you.’

‘For goodness’ sake, do you not think I have better things to do than discuss your vivid imaginings? I’m going out.’

‘Back to work?’ she spat. ‘Poor you, having to work all those long hours.’

‘You really don’t appreciate anything that I do, do you? Eh? All the hard work I do to keep this family going, to buy you the perfect house, a decent car, and clothes, get your hair done every week. You and the kids have a bloody awesome lifestyle because of me, and not one of you ever shows any gratitude.’

What?

Usually, Dominique would be caught on the back foot by a comment like that. Not today. Today she lost the plot.

‘How dare you? How bloody dare you accuse me of not appreciating what you do? I say thank you all the time to you, for all the hours you work, for providing for us. Do you ever listen to me, Benjamin? When was the last time you acknowledged the work I do holding this family together? Or thanked me for creating a comfortable home for you and the kids? You didn’t acknowledge the Christmas decorations that took all day to put up; you completely failed to notice, and only grunted when I pointed it out to you. You certainly expressed no gratitude for me pulling out all the stops when you decided to invite Heidi and James here at the last minute. You hypocrite!’

Benjamin stood his ground but from the way he pulled his chin in, she could tell her words had knocked him for six. It wasn’t enough. She beat her hands down in frustration, creating tidal waves of suds that slopped all over the counter.

‘Is that your excuse for sleeping with someone else, Benjamin? Because I didn’t say thank you enough?’ She flung her arms up, jazz hands, mocking. Rivulets forming down her arms and dripping off her elbows as she turned to him full on, eyes blazing so hard he actually leaned back. ‘Shall I dance my gratitude, Benjamin? Would that be enough? Ooh, I’m so very, very grateful to you for everything you’ve ever done for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for pretending to work long hours while actually having it away with someone else.’

‘This is bollocks. I’m out of here. See you when you come to your senses.’

‘When was the last time you showed me any love, Benjamin? When was the last time you put your arm around me?’

The recollection of him tenderly leading her to their bed when he found her on the landing, flashed in her mind.

She turned back to the sink, and her hands dived into the water, grateful of the escape from this awful scene. If only the rest of her body could follow, she wished. But she held onto the anger in order to stop guilt taking over.

‘Once Christmas and New Year are over, I want you out. Until then we will keep up appearances for the children’s sake. We’ll sit them down together on New Year’s Day and tell them we are splitting up.’

‘Oh, happy bloody New Year. Are you kidding me? Get a grip, Dom, you’ve finally lost it. You’re not taking my kids away from me. You’re a wreck, you’re dangerous around them. Who knows what you’ll do in one of your crazy dreams. You know what? No one would blame me for having someone else on the go, not once they heard how deranged you are.’

Benjamin turned on his heel. Dominique heard his footsteps receding hurriedly.

She took a deep breath, then another and another until her heart slowed from painful thumping. There was no triumph at finally telling the truth; and victory over Benjamin was hollow because it signalled the break-up of her family. Her bare feet were soaked from the water that drip, drip, dripped over the counter edge still. Knowing no one else would take care of it but her, she whipped a couple of tea towels off the rail, got on her knees, and mopped up until the only trace of the argument was the slightest sheen on the terracotta tiles.