‘Pot and kettle,’ Amy laughed.

‘What does that mean?’ Shirley’s face flushed red.

‘You and your little friend,’ Amy jabbed her finger towards Janet, ‘you pretended you liked her. We all know what you really thought. You told us all enough times! But you wanted to join the book group and you knew the only way in was to make friends with her. You’re pathetic.’

Shirley and Janet shared a look.

‘Oh, what, cat caught your tongue? I’ve got messages from you calling her every name under the sun. Deny it all you like, but you’re full of it. The pair of you.’

‘I don’t remember you being very complimentary,’ Shirley spat back.

‘No. I didn’t like her, but I didn’t pretend to. She knew perfectly well what I thought about her. I didn’t hide it. We worked out a way of being in the same room without having to be fake.’

‘I’m not fake,’ Shirley and Janet said in tandem.

‘You’re as fake as the nails that Toni used to wear!’ spluttered Maggie, coming to Amy’s defence.

‘I’m not your friend and I won’t pretend I am. Let’s just be clear that I don’t care about your Instagram pictures of your bloody house or your ugly kid. You do my head in. Your insincerity makes me sick.’ Amy’s words silenced the room.

Marion got to her feet.

‘I’m sick of this. We were all meant to be coming together so we could discuss this like adults. You lot are worse than school children. A woman has been murdered, close to where we all live, and to make matters worse we all knew her. You’re all so wrapped up in the past you can’t see what’s right in front of your bloody noses. I’m not listening to any more of this. I’m going home. Stay here and fight, for all I care. Sod the lot of you.’

Marion looked at Barbara, who followed suit and stood up.

‘I’m going too,’ she said sheepishly.

‘I thought you were better than this, Amy.’ Marion shook her head with disappointment as she left the room, closely followed by Barbara.

‘Well, I’m not hanging around to be insulted.’ Janet wiped the back of her crooked, dripping nose with the back of her hand.

‘You know where the front door is.’ Amy sat in her chair, pretending to inspect her nails.

Shirley and Janet both marched out without saying a word.

‘Well, that went well,’ Maggie chuckled.

‘I’m sick of it.’ Amy finally felt able to show her anger. ‘I’ve bitten my tongue for long enough. It’s toxic and it isn’t good for any of us. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but now I’ve made up my mind. I’m leaving the book club.’

6

3.30pm 23 June