‘The person who saved Amelia had a key ring just like yours, but Claudia knew nothing about it when Amelia brought it up. It almost caught her out, but she talked her way out of it because that’s what she’s good at.’ Leanne looked towards Karin, forcing Beth to follow her gaze. It was a tenuous connection, but worth a try. ‘Did Karin carry one of those key rings?’

‘This is ridiculous,’ Beth said. If she harboured the same thoughts, she dismissed them with a shake of her head. ‘Claudia has been good to us. We’re not going to be used as weapons against her.’

‘Don’t you want to know the truth?’

‘Will it pay the bills?’ Beth snapped back. Her jaw was clenched when she added, ‘I can’t and I won’t help you. Karin’s lost another job, and we need Claudia’s support.’

‘You’ve applied to the hardship fund?’

‘We’d have lost the apartment by now if she hadn’t bailed us out.’

‘You’ve had payments?’ Leanne asked. ‘I didn’t think the fund had issued any money yet.’

‘Claudia found a way.’

‘And now you’re beholden to her,’ Leanne said, her heart sinking. ‘All I want is to find Amelia’s true hero. Maybe I’m clutching at straws, but what if it was Karin, or someone else who can’t come forward? How does it feel to know Claudia is buying your silence?’

‘Don’t you dare! You have no idea what it’s like!’ Beth cried out, but her anger was quickly spent. ‘I can’t cope with any more of this. Please, just leave us alone.’

Leanne held up her hands and said no more as Beth raced around to the driver’s side. When she was safely inside the car, Karin tried to console her. She didn’t look as fragile as she had earlier, but Beth was right, neither of them had anything left to give.

Once Beth had sniffed back the tears, she started the engine and reversed the car out of the parking space, passing within inches of Leanne. As the car came level, Leanne got a closer look at Karin. Her scarf hung loosely from her neck, and a silver chain glinted in the winter sun. The car sped away.