‘Maybe that’s for the best. The press started the rumours because they didn’t expect Phillipa to be around to challenge them, and I think we all fell for it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t seeing anyone at all. You didn’t think he was, and I’d trust you above any reporter.’

‘Actually … I wasn’t completely honest with you when we first met,’ Karin confessed. ‘The thing is, I’m pretty sure Declan was seeing someone. He never talked about her, but there was this one time when I called at his flat and there was a cup on the side with red lipstick on it. He wouldn’t say who it belonged to, and I remember thinking it was because he wasn’t serious about whoever it was, but maybe he had to be secretive because she was married. If it wasn’t Phillipa, then who was it?’

Claudia held her nerve and Karin’s gaze. ‘Whoever it was, Declan must have cared a lot about her to keep that secret from his family. And the best way you can respect his memory is to say nothing and keep away from the press.’

Putting her head in her hands, Karin said, ‘I don’t care if I never talk about any of this again. It’s already driving a wedge between me and Beth. I ask questions that she can’t answer and we both end up feeling frustrated. It’s so hard, and things have been getting worse.’

‘That’s why I’m here,’ Claudia said gently. ‘Each time we meet, it’s like the fire is still eating away at you and I can only imagine how it’s affecting Beth too. Whenever there’s any kind of disaster, the victims are counted by the lives lost, but the survivors pay another price. The pain goes on and for some it becomes unbearable.’

‘Beth refuses to go for counselling.’

‘She’s too busy worrying about you.’

‘I wish she wouldn’t. I’m not worth it,’ Karin said, pressing her fingers against her eyes to staunch her tears. ‘I hate that Declan died trying to reach me, and that three kids have lost their dad. It was nice to blame Phillipa for a while, but I despise myself. He’d be alive now if it wasn’t for me.’

Claudia had to turn away. She was tired of being Karin’s emotional crutch, and wanted to tell her to grow a backbone. If only she knew that Declan hadn’t died because of her. He had died because of Claudia.

‘It’s natural to feel guilty,’ she said, not sure if she was talking about Karin or herself. ‘But the best way to honour his memory is to go on and lead a happy life.’