‘She’s done so well since the divorce,’ said Amy. ‘You must be proud of her.’

‘I am! And I’m going to make sure my brother and his wife don’t take advantage of all her hard work.’

‘You don’t think they’re going to try, do you?’ Amy was horrified.

Helena shrugged. ‘Why else invite us both to Sunday lunch? I think Mum knows more than she’s telling me because she’s afraid I’ll go ballistic at the thought.’

Amy shook her head. ‘Well, keep me informed. I’d love to think badly of a green-smoothie addict.’

Chapter Four

‘Shall I drive?’ said Helena. It was Sunday morning, and Helena had parked her car outside Fairacres and gone inside to pick up her mother. ‘Then you can have a glass of wine?’

‘A whole glass? I don’t think so. That would be more units than would be healthy,’ said Gilly, looking around to check everything was locked. ‘Cressida always wants everyone to be healthy.’

‘Mum! It’s so unlike you to say something like that. I love it when you find your inner bitch.’

Gilly laughed. ‘I’m always quite relieved to discover I have one, I must say. Now, have I got everything?’

‘I’m not sure Cressida appreciates home baking, Mum,’ said Helena, eyeing the collection of Tupperware her mother had in her basket.

‘I know she doesn’t, but Martin does and he takes it into work. He tells Cressida that it’s to give to his colleagues, but I know he eats it too.’

‘But don’t you think she breathalyses him to detect the consumption of carbs and sugar when he gets home?’

‘Probably. Mostly I take biscuits so Issi has something she can eat when she gets home from school. I don’t think that little girl actually gets enough calories. It’s all cucumber and carrots and the odd seed. But I expect you’re right, I shouldn’t be her enabler—’

Helena giggled. ‘To home-made shortbread. Oh, what a wicked granny you are!’

Helena spent the journey wondering if she should mention her suspicions about her sister-in-law’s motives behind inviting them both to lunch to see if Gilly confessed to thinking the same thing. But she knew her mother didn’t like it when she said unpleasant things about Cressida and so didn’t want to do it unless it was really justified.

She parked outside the sleekly modern house, which had a steep drive that didn’t encourage visiting vehicles. Helena and her mother sat in the car for a few seconds, bracing themselves. ‘I hope you’re wrapped up warm,’ said Gilly eventually.

‘Mum! It’s April!’

‘Only just! And that house is always cold, but Cressida is always warm. It’s the running.’

Helena shuddered. Her sister-in-law’s addiction to running always unsettled her. ‘Let’s go in.’

Martin, her brother, greeted her with a hug and a ‘Hey, Sis.’