‘I wasn’t going to say anything,’ Jenna continues, ‘but I’ve spent my whole life biting my tongue and I like you, I do, but I had to tell you. You can’t do that again, not to me, not to anyone.’

As Damian sobs something inside Jenna cracks and she moves closer.

‘You’re a good man. But you need to get help. Promise me that when you get back to the UK you’ll go and see someone.’

He doesn’t reply but there’s a pause between sobs. He’s listening. But will he remember when he sobers up?

‘Go get some sleep,’ she says softly. ‘I’ll come and find you after we’re done here. We can talk again.’

Damian takes a long deep breath and straightens back up. ‘Can I ask you something?’

‘Sure.’

‘Do you love him? Tom?’

She rakes through her feelings as he waits for her answer. She’s attracted to Tom, she’s drawn to him, she enjoys being in his company, but is it love? It’s too soon to say, but there are embers that could turn into flames given enough time, enough space, enough air. But she can’t tell Damian that. Not when there’s so much hope in his eyes. She can’t let him walk away believing he has a chance with her.

‘Yes,’ she lies. ‘Yes I do.’

He stares at her for a beat then shakes his head sadly. ‘Jenna, I—’

He breaks off, his gaze flicking from Jenna to a spot somewhere behind her. She turns, sensing they’re no longer alone.

Erica is standing at the corner of the marquee, her hands hanging loosely at her side. As Jenna’s gaze flicks to her head, bald and pale in the weak May sun, Erica gives her a defiant look.

‘Kate’s waiting for you,’ she says. ‘It’s time to say goodbye to your hair.’

Chapter 43

Now

FRAN

‘Caroline!’ Fran raps excitedly on her friend’s door. ‘Caroline!’

She knows she’s in there, because she’s looked everywhere else, but Caroline’s taking her sweet time answering the door. And there’s so much to tell her; not just what Fran discovered on the SSD card but Kate’s disappearance. She’s gone. Possibly for good, if Renata is to be believed.

‘Caroline!’ She knocks again. ‘I’ve got something important to tell you.’

When the door finally opens Fran leans away in alarm. Caroline looks terrible; her skin is grey and there are deep dark circles below her eyes. When she opens her mouth to speak she coughs instead. Fran waits patiently for her to stop but when Caroline starts gasping for breath Fran ushers her back into the room and into bed.

‘I should get Tom,’ she says as she straightens the duvet.