‘That’s true,’ Maggie agreed. ‘I know you’ll think I’m daft for saying it, but I’ve wondered about that.’ She paused and sipped her tea. ‘Don’t you think it’s strange that she died when she did?’ Maggie looked at the two women opposite her. They both waited for her to embellish. They knew she would, without any encouragement.

‘Well, there was a big argument and she stormed off on Thursday. That’s right, isn’t it?’ Kim nodded. ‘And then she turns up dead. I’m just saying …’ Maggie let the statement hang in the air.

‘Come on, you don’t really think they are linked?’ Amy looked incredulous.

‘I dunno. Someone killed her, didn’t they?’ Maggie shrugged.

‘But surely not over some stupid argument at a book club meeting.’ Amy got up and started to tidy things from the coffee table onto the tray.

‘Murder at the book club. It kind of has a ring to it!’ Kim chuckled. ‘You do make me laugh, Mags.’

‘Well, say what you will, but I don’t believe in coincidences,’ Maggie said huffily.

‘It’s probably some nutter.’ Kim drained her glass and reached for the bottle.

‘I hope you’re right, because if you’re not then it’s someone we know, and the thought of that makes me feel sick.’

Amy stopped and stood up to rub her stomach. The baby was kicking.

‘Can we change the subject, please?’ she requested.

‘Whatever you want, chick. I’m just pleased to be away from the kids for a bit, and Saturday day drinking is a definite bonus!’

Kim left a few hours later, slightly worse for wear.

‘You don’t really think someone at the book club killed Toni, do you?’ Amy was in the kitchen preparing supper for her and Maggie. The onion she was slicing was irritating her eyes.

‘Well, they say that people are most often killed by people they know.’ Maggie sat at the kitchen table nursing a glass of Pinot Grigio.

‘It doesn’t bear thinking about.’ Amy blinked back her tears, which were making it hard to see.

‘Everyone has their secrets,’ Maggie said, as she ran her finger around the rim of her glass.

‘Oh yeah?’ Amy chuckled. ‘What’s yours then?’

‘I’m actually Superwoman.’ Maggie winked.

‘That’s not a secret. I already knew that.’ The onions sizzled as they hit the oil in the pan. ‘Spag bol OK for dinner?’

‘As long as there is garlic bread.’

‘I got some in specially.’

‘Great. You know me so well.’

‘I’d kill for a glass of wine.’ Amy looked longingly at Maggie’s drink.

‘You can have one or two every once in a while.’

‘I know, but I feel guilty when I do.’

‘Would you rather I didn’t drink? I don’t mind.’ Maggie pushed the glass away.

‘No reason we should both suffer.’ Amy added mince to the pan.