“Because he bloody should have. Because you’re a member of his chapel, and for three months your partner was fighting a losing battle against cancer. He should have made it his business to see you had any support you needed.”

Lindsay sighed, and patted the fist Ian was banging on the table. “I got the support I needed from you and the rest of my friends. You know I didn’t want a big song and dance about it. Frankly, if Union Jack had been forced to swallow his prejudices and offer me sympathy, the sight of so much hypocrisy would have made me vomit.”

“Maybe so, but you shouldn’t let it rest here. Union Jack treated you abominably, bringing up Frances like that, and I want to take it to the chapel committee. You deserve an apology,” Ian said defiantly. He had not noticed that Laura had come up behind him while he spoke.

“And that’ll really make Lindsay feel better,” she said sarcastically. “For Christ’s sake, Ian, let the woman bury her dead in peace.”

Ian whirled round in his seat, the chair legs screeching on the floor. He faced Laura, his face flushed scarlet. By now, the surrounding delegation tables were agog. Lindsay felt a slow anger burn in her. How dare Laura use her pain as a stick to beat Ian with?

“What the hell has this got to do with you?” he demanded belligerently.

“Exactly as much as it has to do with you. Christ, Ian, you’re just as bad as Union Jack. You’re as willing to use Lindsay’s grief for your own political ends as he is,” Laura snapped.

“Stay out of this, Laura,” Lindsay butted in. “This is nothing to do with you.”

“You don’t even know what we’re talking about,” Ian said in exasperation, getting to his feet.

Laura made a deliberate point of stepping back and tilting her head upwards to look at his skinny frame towering above her. “You think not? Let me tell you, Ian, if there’s anyone in this hall who’s caused a lot of heartache by jumping to conclusions, it sure as hell isn’t me.” Her voice was low and dangerous.

The pair of them held each other’s gaze. Ian’s ears were scarlet, Laura’s mouth set in a sneer. The stalemate might have continued indefinitely had it not been for the call for a vote. The muttering and rustling as delegates quickly checked which way they were voting and raised their hands shattered the moment. Ian turned away and picked up his voting card. Laura smiled ironically at the rest of their delegation and walked off towards the platform.

“What a prize bitch!” Siobhan muttered in Lindsay’s ear. “He’s well shot of her.”

“Almost makes you feel sorry for the new man in her life.”