‘Not really. I know you’re living together but you haven’t known him that long. It wouldn’t be an easy thing to bring up. “By the way, my uncle’s company was responsible for that awful fire, when people nearly died, years ago.”’

‘But when would he have told me? Soon? Never?’ Helena still felt horribly deceived.

‘I don’t know, Hells, but you can’t think badly of him because he didn’t blurt it out when you first met. Have you told him everything about you?’

‘I may have kept quiet about some unfortunate music preferences when I was twelve, but mostly, yes. He knows all about my parents’ divorce and how it affected me. He knows everything remotely important.’

Amy put her hand on Helena’s arm. ‘It needn’t be a deal-breaker, Hel.’

Helena shook her head, still in despair. ‘We haven’t actually made any sort of deal. I just moved in as a lodger and then changed bedrooms. I feel such a fool! I feel I’ve shacked up with a complete stranger. I just fell in love and followed my heart and my lust.’

‘I think you are overreacting.’

‘Amy, you saw what was on Google!’

‘I’m not saying the fire wasn’t awful – not for a second – but just because it was Jago’s – or Jonathan’s – uncle’s firm, it doesn’t mean he had anything to do with it.’

‘Then why change his identity? Is that what normal, innocent people do?’

‘Well, maybe! Maybe having that name meant he couldn’t get work, or start a business or anything.’

‘I don’t know, Ames. I just don’t know. I just feel terribly let down.’

‘But he’s been lovely to you—’

‘But who has been lovely to me? And why? Is it Jago or Jonathan?’

‘He won’t have a hidden agenda. What has he got to gain from being nice to you?’

‘He has a hidden past, why not a hidden agenda? I just feel I’m in the middle of a bog and everywhere I put my foot it just sinks in. I have to get away.’

‘You’re not being logical!’ said Amy.

‘Well, sorry!’ said Helena. ‘The man I’ve been living with – the man I thought I loved – has turned out to be someone completely different. Sorry I can’t react in a calm and reasoned way.’

Amy was getting fed up. ‘OK, I’m going to make tea and toast. We’re going to eat it and then go to bed. I promise you, this will look better in the morning.’

‘You sound just like my mum.’

‘I’ll take that as a compliment. Your mum talks a lot of good sense.’

‘I’ll sort out some sheets for your bed,’ said Helena. ‘If I think of this as a sleepover, maybe I won’t feel so utterly miserable.’