Kayla was Shirley’s thirteen-year-old adopted daughter. She was spoilt, rude and unpleasant. The rest of the group dreaded it when Shirley hosted the book club, because Kayla would always be sure to play her music as loud as possible in her bedroom, which was directly above the sitting room where they gathered. She did not like it when her mother’s attention was focused on anything other than her, and she made sure that everyone knew it. ‘I dropped her in town so she could go and do some shopping while I came here. Can’t believe why we are here. It’s mad.’

‘You know the police will want to talk to us all.’ Janet’s words whistled through the gap in her teeth as they always did. It was the first thing she had said since arriving. ‘We all saw her before she died so they’ll want statements.’

‘Didn’t know you knew anything about how the police work?’ Maggie said suspiciously.

‘I know a lot of things,’ Janet snapped back, plunging her hands into the pockets of her long, beige, cable-knit cardigan.

‘A lot about nothing,’ Maggie muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Amy to hear. It was the second time in less than five minutes that she’d had to stifle a grin.

‘I heard they found her naked,’ Shirley cut in.

‘Really?’ Maggie looked shocked. ‘Where did you hear that?’

‘Oh, one of Grant’s friends works at Addenbrookes, where they’ve taken the body. He heard it from someone, apparently.’

Grant was Shirley’s husband.

‘You don’t have to look like you’re enjoying yourself so much, you know?’ Amy folded her arms across her chest.

‘Oh, shut up. I’m just telling you what I heard.’ Shirley looked briefly embarrassed before her expression turned to anger.

‘She was a proud woman. I hope that isn’t true,’ Barbara said thoughtfully.

‘But she did like being the centre of attention,’ Maggie added. ‘She is certainly that now.’

The room went quiet. It was true, but no one had been brave enough to say it. Maggie, who had never really seen eye-to-eye with Toni, had only said what everyone else was thinking – even if it was a bit inappropriate.

‘What? She wouldn’t have held back, would she, if it had been one of us?’

‘Well, that’s true,’ Marion agreed.

‘It’s not like we are all best friends. She was a pain in the arse,’ Amy said. ‘It wouldn’t be right to pretend otherwise just because she’s dead.’

‘Is that what you’ll be saying to the police?’ Janet asked sarcastically.

‘I won’t be lying.’ Amy’s expression was measured. ‘Why, will you? Will you pretend you liked her, Janet, just like you did when she was alive?’

‘Shut your face, Amy. Leave her alone. You walk around acting all perfect, like butter wouldn’t melt, but you’re just a bitch,’ Shirley pitched in.