When her marriage to Mike fell apart Toni was lonely, and turned to her computer for company. She went on numerous dating websites and soon became embroiled in an online book group. But Toni was frustrated by the group being online only, and took it upon herself to arrange a local book club that met regularly. She liked the idea of meeting new people and looked forward to finding some purpose in her lonely life. The book club had been going for two years and had grown from the original three members, of which Toni was one, to over fifteen – all women. Initially, men were invited to join – Toni had hoped she might meet her next husband through the group – but it became apparent that it would be best for it to remain a women only club, and so it was.

That Thursday, ten of the women were expected to be there. It was fairly normal that not everyone could make it every week, but Toni, without fail, was there each week.

The women took turns at hosting the club in their homes, and much to Toni’s irritation it was Marion’s turn once again. The only thing that made her feel a bit better, was the fact that Marion was twenty years her senior, grey-haired, and broad around the stomach.

When Toni knew her stop was coming up, she removed a small compact from her bag and checked her make-up. Her large, pale pink lips glistened with gloss as she kissed them together.

Getting off the bus in heels would have been problematic for most, but Toni had been doing it for years and had mastered the art with finesse. Gliding away down the street, she straightened her red top, making sure her bosom looked as pert as possible, and checked that her skin-tight white trousers were still spotless.

As she reached Gladstone Way, she plastered a smile across her face, ready for battle, and made her way up to the white front door of Number 33.

The detached house belonging to Marion and Alfred Bolton had a lovely front garden that was bursting with roses. Toni found herself inhaling the scent as the door opened and Marion welcomed her with a smile.

‘Toni, good to see you, pet,’ she beamed, stepping back and allowing Toni inside. ‘How’ve you been?’

Marion was a Yorkshire lass born and bred, but had moved down from Harrogate to Hertfordshire before settling in Cambridge when her husband Alfred was offered a job with a highly regarded accounting firm. The couple had two grown-up sons, one of whom was in the army; the other had married a Norfolk girl and moved to Norwich with his new bride to be closer to her family.

‘Oh, you know, busy, busy.’ Toni wandered through the hallway, past the kitchen and into the lounge, as if she was right at home.