Some me-time would be welcome but how would I spend it? Thinking about Sam and convincing myself that, if he ever felt ready to move on from Nikki and the baby, he wouldn’t still be interested in me. And dwelling on the revelation that Eddie Holmes nearly killed someone else when he should still have been behind bars, paying for what he’d done to Dad.

I was in the staffroom catching up with the accounts when there was a knock on the door and Annie pushed it open. ‘Sorry to disturb you but there’s a woman downstairs asking for you.’

‘For me? Not Mum?’

‘No. You.’

‘Did she give her name?’

Annie grimaced. ‘I never even thought to ask. Sorry.’

‘That’s okay. Let me save this spreadsheet then I’ll be down.’ I’d been in touch with The Bay News about running some adverts and a promotional piece so I assumed it was a journalist or sales rep from there.

Annie pointed towards a woman with dark bobbed hair peering into a glass cabinet containing some vintage bears, lovingly restored by Mum.

‘Hi, I’m Jemma,’ I said, approaching the woman. ‘You wanted to see me?’

She turned round, straight-faced, and looked me up and down, which unnerved me somewhat. ‘Is there somewhere private we can talk?’

‘We’ve got a staffroom. Can I ask your name?’ She looked familiar but I couldn’t place her.

‘Fiona,’ she said. ‘Fiona Hannigan. It’s about my husband, Adam. Although I think you know him as Scott.’

Shhhiiiiiittttttt!!!!!!!!! I stepped back into a display table, knocking over a couple of bears. No wonder she looked familiar. I’d seen all those photos of her on social media.

‘Are you okay, Jemma?’ Annie called from behind the counter.

‘Erm… Yes. Fine. Lost my footing.’ I cleared my throat and hoped I sounded in control. ‘We’re going upstairs. Are you and Liv okay on your own?’

Annie gave me a strange look but stopped short of reminding me that there were usually only two staff serving and I’d been upstairs all afternoon anyway. ‘We’ll be fine. You take your time.’

I tried to sort out the bears but knocked another one over. Liv appeared by my side. ‘I’ll sort these out. You see to your visitor.’

My stomach churned as Fiona followed me up the stairs. She didn’t look like the sort of woman who’d throw a punch but she’d probably be justified if she did.

‘Tea or coffee?’ I asked.

‘Tea please. Milk, no sugar.’

I pointed to the table. ‘Have a seat. I won’t be long.’

For the first time ever, I was thankful for the world’s noisiest kettle as it meant we couldn’t talk. Which meant I could calm down a bit first. Except that I felt anything but calm.