‘I don’t know anything,’ Claudia whispered. Her hands fluttered and, in the process, she knocked the teaspoon off the table and it clattered to the floor. The legs of her dining chair scraped over the tiles as she reached to pick it up.

Leanne’s brow furrowed. Knocking the spoon off the table with trembling fingers could have been a simple accident, but Leanne had been watching Claudia closely. The fumble seemed choreographed.

From down the hall, there came the sound of a door opening, and Leanne had to stop herself from saying, ‘Ah, I see what you did there.’

It wasn’t a mishap. It was a signal.

Tall, with broad shoulders, Justin Rothwell wore a rugby shirt that gave the impression he could cause some damage in a scrum, but his smile was playful, verging on mischievous. His light brown hair had grey accents at the temples, and his hazel eyes were two shades lighter than his wife’s. Leanne couldn’t help but stare. He was beautiful.

‘I hope I’m not disturbing you,’ he said, extending his hand towards Leanne. ‘I’m Justin.’

Leanne willed her cheeks not to burn. ‘Lovely to meet you.’

‘I’m afraid Claudia has to put up with me working from home today.’

‘He’s been doing that a lot lately,’ Claudia added, catching Justin’s eye. As he moved towards her, she dipped her gaze and he kissed the top of her head.

‘I must like your company,’ he whispered.

Leanne felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn’t do relationships very well, her longest having lasted only eighteen months before she discovered the lying rat had been sleeping around. That particular rat was the reason she had sold her flat and left Leeds. She had given up on love, and was convinced she wasn’t missing anything special – except at moments like this when she saw the real thing in action. Claudia had sent a distress signal, and Justin hadn’t hesitated to respond.

‘I was doing my utmost to keep out of the way,’ Justin explained, ‘but I need a caffeine fix. Would you like a refill?’

‘I’ve barely touched this,’ Leanne said, picking up her drink. She watched Justin over the rim of her cup.

‘I must say, it’s good to have the Courier supporting us – ah, sorry, I should say, supporting Claudia. My name might be on the board of trustees, but I take no credit,’ Justin said, raising his hands. ‘This is all down to my wife.’

‘My editor’s determined to publish some positive pieces,’ Leanne replied. She had tried to inject some enthusiasm into her response, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded. It wasn’t exactly investigative journalism.

‘The paper could play an important part in helping the town heal,’ Claudia said, sounding as if she were one of Mal’s disciples, or was it the other way around?