James appeared on the dot of twelve, and she was still mulling over Fiona’s words as they settled in their seats at their usual pub. Her nerves were on edge, making her fidget, her leg bouncing up and down under the table.

‘What’s wrong with you?’ James said after they’d sat in silence for a few minutes. Normally the conversation flowed, but Sara’s thoughts were locked on how to phrase her question.

It’s now. Ask him. Go, on, do it!

She steadied her bouncing leg, took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. ‘It’s about our deal.’ His eyebrows lifted, his eyes meeting hers while he waited for her to carry on. ‘I need to know how long it will take me to pay off the debt and exactly what’s involved. I don’t like it being so vague. And Matt was suspicious about Thursday and I hated having to lie to everyone.’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t want to do it.’ Her voice sounded whiny, and she hated that she’d put herself at his mercy. The same mistake as Mum. How stupid was that?

He picked up his beer glass and took a long swig, wiped a hand across his mouth. ‘I do see your point, and I think we said we’d review the situation after Thursday’s event, didn’t we?’

She nodded, hardly able to breathe while she waited for his pronouncement, like a criminal in court anticipating the verdict. I am a criminal, she reminded herself, and wondered if owning up might be the better way forward. Whether Fiona would take it to the police. She couldn’t take the risk, though. Think about the kids, she told herself, memories of social workers escorting her to a new temporary home springing to mind. Echoes of the confusion and misery she’d felt filled her head. That won’t happen. They’ve got Matt. Another voice added, And Hailey. She gritted her teeth. She was going to be the one looking after her family, nobody else.

‘Are you listening?’ James asked, an amused smile on his lips. ‘You were miles away then.’

She took a big gulp of beer, the coolness of it a welcome relief. ‘Sorry. I’m listening now. It’s just there’s a lot going on.’

‘So, what I’d like to do is take you away for a treat. A spa weekend.’

She wasn’t sure she’d heard him right. ‘What? Why?’

‘Because I’ve been under a lot of pressure and need a little break, and I don’t want to go on my own.’ He shrugged. ‘Simple as that. It will be counted as part of your repayment.’