I said, ‘Look, V. We’re married. We know each other. We know what’s horrible about each other. We don’t subscribe to each other’s myth. And the only way out of being known like that, if you can’t stand it, is to leave and find a new person. For a while they think you’re wonderful and believe in your myth, but then they get to know you too, and the same thing happens all over again. Anyway, don’t worry. I won’t be around much longer.’

He scowls: ‘What?’

H: ‘I won’t be around to bug you for much longer.’

V: ‘What a thing to say.’

H: (recklessly) ‘Well, that’s what you want, isn’t it?’

V: (indignant) ‘No! It’s not! If you found a way to stick around, it’d be really nice!’