‘I know you’re angry,’ she’d said to me. ‘But I hope you can agree that the most important person in this at the moment is Cindy. I need time to think how best to break the news to her, and then I think we need to let her decide what to do. If you can find a way, without compromising your integrity now that you know the truth, of keeping a lid on this as far as Luke is concerned until I’ve spoken to her, I’d be grateful. I know he’s my son, but I don’t want to give him time to make up some cock and bull story to make himself a misunderstood hero in this. He needs to face the consequences of what he’s done. I love him, of course I do, but right now I want to strangle him.’

With a sigh, I delete the message and start a new one. The other thing Richenda did was make me swap phone numbers with her. I was reluctant, but she stressed the need for an open line of communication, and I realise that she might actually be my saviour in this.

Just had a message from Luke. He wants to meet on Friday. No prizes for guessing why. Any chance you could invent an emergency to divert him? Tilly.

Barely a minute passes before her reply comes in.

Leave it with me. I’m going to call Cindy shortly and ask her to come over. Depending on what she decides to do, I can certainly invent something to divert Luke. Suggest you reply to him as you normally would for now. Richenda.

More duplicity, more lies, but I have to trust her. With a heavy heart, I type out a reply to Luke.

Sounds fun. Looking forward to it. xx

Let’s just hope Richenda is considerably better at keeping her word than her son is. Feeling a little calmer, I start the engine and make my way out of the car park. When I get to the road, I’m paralysed with indecision. I would normally go back to the flat, but I don’t want to be on my own right now. A possibility forms in my mind. It’s unorthodox, bordering on unprofessional but, after the events of the last hour or so, I need something to remind me that I’m not a complete villain, and this might just do the trick. Flicking on my indicator, I nose out on to the road and turn towards the hospital.

* * *

‘Hello again, Jonathan,’ I say as I walk into his room again. The visitor seat is occupied by Will, who has a large sketch pad open in front of him.

‘Tilly, what a lovely surprise,’ Jonathan exclaims. ‘I was just about to start today’s crossword when Will arrived, but he’s not a crossword person. Now that you’re here you can help me if you like.’