“Burn, damn you,” Debbie roared, tipping petrol on the inert bundle. As if goaded by her fury, the flames took hold, swirling round her, ever closer. Debbie had no thought of danger. She was savoring revenge. “Your flossy won’t be cuddling up to this again,” she warned. As tears flooded her eyes she was startled to feel strong arms gripping her shoulders. The voice sounded concerned. “What are you doing?” Debbie turned, her face etched with pain. “Your father’s having an affair,” Ben folded his arms round her. “Come on mum, that can’t be right. Dad would never cheat on you.” “It is right,” she protested. “I found the bill – a weekend for two, and enough drinks to sink the Royal Navy.” “I still don’t believe…” Ben’s words drifted away as he stared at flames moving towards them. “What have you got in that can?” he yelled, pulling a hose across the garden. The flames hissed and spat and died, and Ben stared down at the soggy bundle. “What’s that, Mum, and what’s it doing there?” Debbie’s voice hardened. “I told you, your father’s having an affair. That’s the dress jacket he wore for his weekends of passion. The bill was in the pocket.”

Ben shook his head in disbelief. “You really think something’s going on?” Seeing her despairing nod, he led her indoors. “This bill,” he said, sitting opposite her. “Where is it?” Blue eyes flashing, she pulled a printed slip from her jeans pocket. “Your father was supposed to be in the Midlands. That hotel’s nowhere near the Midlands.” “It doesn’t prove anything,” Ben insisted, staring at the scrap of paper. “The office could have changed his schedule, and he ended up in an overbooked hotel in a double room.” Debbie shrugged impatiently, then seeing the pain on her son’s face said softly, “I’m sorry Ben.” “Whatever,” he said grimly, turning on his heel. Minutes later the front door banged and Debbie heard his motor- bike revving away. Can’t blame him, she sniffed through her tears. He doesn’t want to believe it.

The rest of the day was a jumble of emotions, and when her mobile rang she wasn’t ready to answer it. I’ll be home on the usual train tomorrow night, his text read. Hope you’re okay. Debbie had heard him say the same thing a hundred times. Now the words were breaking her heart. It was late afternoon when Ben got back, his face gloomy. “You haven’t had another row with Josie?” Debbie asked. Her son’s ricochet love life was a mystery to her. Ben eyed her warily. “No way. It’s you I’m in trouble with.” “What’s happened now?” Debbie groaned. Ben sucked in his breath. “The thing is…it’s my bill. Dad lent me his dinner jacket when I said I wanted to take Josie to some place really special for her birthday. She’s been a star, staying around since I left College. And now I’ve got this job…” Debbie’s eyes widened.