‘I am not taking off my backpack.’
‘Well at least lose the water bottle.’
‘And die of thirst?’
She gave up. He was insufferable.
The going grew hairy after the fourth switchback and as they neared the steepest section of the ascent, the sense of exposure intensified. She didn’t want to take another break but Richard begged her and begged her. She kept lumbering on until she reached a section of path she considered safer, and leaned her back against the cliff.
‘What is it this time?’ she said, catching her breath.
His reply was unexpected.
‘I wanted to thank you.’
‘For what?’
‘I’ve made up my mind, Clarissa. I’m going to leave her.’
It took her a moment to realise who he was referring to. Is that what he had been thinking about all this time? His wife? Although she had to credit h
