Feeling more resolute now she had her bargaining position worked out, she plugged in the phone and waited for it to buzz to life. No messages. A twinge of hurt squeezed at her heart. You told them it was a no-phones weekend, she reminded herself. Still, it would have been nice to feel needed, or to know they were missing her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the dress draped over the chair. It suddenly felt like a symbol of James’s control. Was this what Fiona meant? she wondered, thinking of the way James had gradually been taking more of her time, slowly separating her from her husband and family. She gave a little shiver, and hung the dress up in the wardrobe, out of sight, along with the bag and the jewellery. He could have it all back. She didn’t want him to decide what clothes she would wear.

The more she thought about it, the odder it felt.

I’m going home, she decided. I’m going to have that chat, get this sorted, then I’m going.

She rang Matt. No answer.

She rang Hailey. No answer.

Where are they?

A knock on the door made her jump. She answered it to find James standing there.

‘I was waiting for you,’ he said, a note of impatience in his voice.

‘I’m going home.’ Sara opened the door wider to let him into the room. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be here. I can’t relax.’ She caught the panic in his eyes, made herself go on. ‘I just feel too guilty. I should be with my family.’

‘But what about our deal?’

She stepped away from him, not so confident now. ‘You covered up a criminal act by lending me that money, so the way I see it, if the truth comes out, you’re in as much trouble as me.’ At last she’d stood her ground, and she straightened her back, pulled herself up to her full height.

He looked startled, just for a second, then regained his composure and gave her a warm smile.

‘Look, why don’t you come into the garden? Let’s get a coffee and have a proper chat about this.’

She knew she’d feel happier talking about everything outside, where there were other people around, rather than in the confined space of her bedroom, so she followed him down the corridor. They made their way to the gardens, ordering coffee at reception on the way.

Sara perched on the edge of her chair, determined to get their discussion over with.