I am petrified stepbrother will tell my husband about our one-night stand

DEAR DEIDRE: I’VE really messed up and had a one-night stand with my stepbrother.

While I regret it and want to get my marriage back on track, he thinks we have something special.

My stepbrother is encouraging me to leave my husband and start a proper relationship with him.

I feel so trapped because if I tell him I’m going back to my husband, I worry he might tell our parents and even my husband, about us having sex.

I don’t know what came over me that fateful night.

My mum and his dad had gone away for the weekend and my 31-year-old stepbrother and I decided to go to the pub for dinner, then head home for a film.

We met nine years ago, soon after our parents met and have always got on.

But that night felt more like a date — we were really flirting with each other.

The movie contained some really hot sex scenes and before the credits had finished rolling we were kissing and undressing each other on the sofa.

We had really intense sex, but as soon as we’d finished I felt so ashamed.

My mum had taken me back in after my husband and I started arguing constantly about when to start a family.

I’m 27 and he’s 29 and he wanted to have kids as soon as we tied the knot a year ago.

But I wanted to enjoy married life for longer and didn’t feel ready to become a mum.

Neither of us would back down so it started to affect every part of our relationship.

Eventually he told me that if we didn’t start trying for a baby within three months we were over.

I was so furious that I moved back to my mum and stepdad’s house where my stepbrother was also living after breaking up with his girlfriend.

Now I can’t stop thinking what an idiot I was to risk everything with my husband.

I am even thinking it might be time to start trying for a baby after all.

But should I tell my husband that I messed up, or risk getting away with it all?

DEIDRE SAYS: If there is any chance of salvaging your marriage you do need to come clean.

As you say your stepbrother is threatening to spill the beans himself.

Explain to your husband you deeply regret the incident and want to get back on track with him.

But don’t rush into having a baby simply because you feel bad about cheating.

I would recommend you both visit a relationship counsellor to ensure you are ready to provide a stable and loving environment for any children.

Read my Counselling support pack, which explains where to find reputable therapists.