‘Two of them. Bloody hell,’ Hailey whispered, sounding as stunned as Sara felt.

‘Neither of them was James, which makes me wonder if he was filming it.’ Nausea stirred the contents of Sara’s stomach, and she ran down the landing into the bathroom, hugging the toilet bowl as she spewed up her last meal. Strangers taking advantage of her when she was unconscious. Filming and sharing it. Once again, bile burned the back of her throat as she heaved and heaved until there was nothing left.

She ran the shower, washing every inch of her body, then doing it all over again, the water as hot as she could stand it. Finally, when the water ran cold, she dried herself and went into the bedroom, finding an oversized T-shirt and dressing gown that Hailey had put out for her. On shaky legs she made her way downstairs, feeling distanced from herself somehow, the reality of what had happened almost impossible to comprehend.

Hailey was in the kitchen making tea. ‘I’ve put extra sugar in yours for the shock,’ she said, handing Sara a mug before they both sat at the table. ‘Don’t you worry, we’ll get the bastards who did this.’

Sara wasn’t sure they would. How can we even start to find out who’s behind it? She was shrivelling up inside, disgust and shame stamping on any self-worth that might have been in there. She thought about James, how lovely he’d been to her, so kind and caring she’d actually thought he might be a little in love with her. But there was another puzzle to solve.

‘What I don’t get,’ she said, as she slumped into her seat, ‘is who sent the video to Matt. And why.’

Hailey stared at her, gave a derisive snort. ‘Are you blind?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, it has to be James. He wants you for himself.’ She pursed her lips, getting her argument in order before she spoke. ‘Look at his behaviour, the way he’s been grooming you. You told him how jealous Matt is. You told him if Matt found out you’d been going out with another man, he’d blow a fuse.’ She pointed at the phone, which Sara had brought down with her. ‘Looks like he just threw a stick of dynamite into your marriage. And I suppose he’ll be around to pick up the pieces.’ She took a sip of tea and gave a dismissive huff. ‘Oh yes, I’ve met his sort.’

Sara scrunched up her nose. ‘I’m not sure that makes sense. Wouldn’t he know I’d work out it was him?’

Hailey took another sip of tea, frowned. ‘Hmm. I see your point.’