Thank you everyone for your replies. You can't imagine how good it feels to know that other people are there, not judging and willing to offer kind words of advise.

I am trying very hard to stay positive and strong, although this still feels like the hardest trial of my life. I understand when Head Girl said she is just starting to realise that this is really happening as it is very easy to slip into denial and hope that it is a momentary blip. I know deep down that mine is not, that the marriage is over and I now have to pick the pieces of my life back together. How, I still don't know, nor how to cope with the knawing loneliness, fear and despair. I have an image in my mind of me 5 years from now and in that image I look happy and strong and I am clinging to that with all I have.

Again, thank you. I feel this may be a long road and have no idea how long it will take to get to the end of it, but will keep coming back on here to remind myself that others have been through this, survived and gone on to happier lives eventually.