‘Absolutely not,’ Claudia said. She considered making something up, but there was an important point to be made, and one that might eventually reach Phillipa’s ears. ‘It’s Leanne Pitman. She doesn’t know when to give up.’

‘Is she becoming a nuisance?’

‘They all are, I’m afraid,’ Claudia said. ‘I didn’t mind getting caught up in the media circus ahead of the anniversary, but each time they’ve written something about me, or wheeled me onto some magazine show or other, I’ve felt like another piece of me has been taken. I had an invitation to go on This Morning and do the whole re-run of the reunion with Amelia, but I can’t. I just can’t.’

‘You shouldn’t feel guilty. You’ve given more than enough to the cause. This is your time, Claudia.’

‘Thanks, Bryony. You’re a good friend.’

Bryony’s expression became clouded. ‘I try to be,’ she said.

‘You’re still worrying about Phillipa, aren’t you?’

‘It’s hard not to. Now that the anniversary is out of the way, we’re counting down to the public inquiry report. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for poor Phillipa, and I feel guilty about being here without her.’

‘Me too,’ Claudia said softly. ‘It’s a terrible world we live in, where someone can be condemned simply by association.’ She left her vague observation open for interpretation. Was she talking about Phillipa and the Empress fire, or was this a warning to Bryony about old loyalties?

Bryony took a deep, cleansing breath, but her voice remained strained with anxiety when she said, ‘Maybe it would be better if she sold up and moved away. It would give us all a chance to start afresh.’

Claudia slipped her phone into her pocket and felt a shudder of anticipation. A fresh start with new friends was exactly what she needed. ‘I don’t know about you, but my stomach’s growling. How about we get dressed and have some lunch?’

‘As long as we can forego the green slime,’ Bryony said with a glance at their barely touched drinks. ‘I could really do with a glass of bubbly.’

‘I think we deserve it, don’t you?’

Claudia was looking forward to an afternoon of over-indulgence, but when they returned to the changing rooms, she found an envelope taped to her locker.

‘Is there a problem?’ asked Bryony, hovering behind Claudia.

‘Not at all,’ Claudia replied, stuffing the message back in the envelope before Bryony could read it. ‘There’s a query over the bill for last week’s press conference. I need to sort it out before I leave.’

‘Good grief, can’t they leave you alone?’

Claudia wiped a clammy hand against the towelling of her dressing gown. ‘Apparently not.’