If the sharpness of Phillipa’s tone was meant to penetrate Leanne’s cold heart, it didn’t work. ‘If Karin has a problem with you, it has nothing to do with me.’ Leanne’s lips curled into a snarl. ‘Quite frankly, I couldn’t care less about the state of your marriage. Maybe you did have an affair with Declan, maybe you didn’t. So what? Others might be interested to hear the ins and outs of your private life, but I’m not. That being said, if you’d like to save the Courier the cost of some ink by not circulating the gossip, I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. You might be able to help with other matters I’m investigating.’

Phillipa shook her head. ‘You don’t know me very well, do you, Leanne? I’m not the type to be manipulated. I asked you here because I thought it was simplest to cut out the poison at the source.’

‘You think I’m the one who started—’

‘Please, let’s not get into a debate,’ Phillipa interjected. She cleared her throat, adjusted her tone. ‘It seems that you’ve formed quite a bond with a friend of mine. Claudia Rothwell?’

Leanne kept her expression neutral. Even a cursory glance at the articles written in the last couple of months would make her look like Claudia’s personal champion. ‘I can appreciate how it would seem like that.’

‘And I suppose you talked about me in your cosy little chats, and Declan too,’ said Phillipa. ‘I’m disappointed that Claudia has gone on to repeat your vile claims to his sister, but that’s another matter. You must be very proud of yourself.’

‘Oh, please,’ Leanne said, rising to her feet. She couldn’t bear one more second of Phillipa’s company. She would find another way to obtain the information she needed. ‘If anyone has spread poison and misery in this town, it’s you. We’re all getting told to move on, well, move on, Mrs Montgomery. Go back to the South of France or whatever hole you choose to hide in. Sedgefield doesn’t want you. You’re a blemish in its history that needs to be expunged.’ Her voice trembled and she blinked hard. She wouldn’t let Phillipa see her tears.

Phillipa stood to face her. ‘Don’t make an enemy of me, Leanne,’ she warned. ‘I still have influence.’

‘Save your threats for someone who cares. If I had my way, I’d have nothing more to do with you and your nest of vipers. And that includes Claudia. You think I told her about your affair? It was the other way around. You’re malignant, the whole lot of you.’

Leanne slung her rucksack over her shoulder.