‘And I see yours. Maybe neither of us is quite right.’ Sara ran her hands through her wet hair, teasing out the knots. ‘Whatever game he’s playing, I haven’t a clue what outcome he’s looking for. Does he want to make me helpless?’

They sat in silence for a moment, thinking.

‘Well, we can theorise as much as we like,’ Hailey said with a sigh. ‘Only James knows the truth. You’re going to have to ask him.’ She must have noticed her sister’s appalled expression and reached across the table, grasped Sara’s hand. ‘I can come with you, if you like.’

Sara was tempted, but shook her head. ‘I think he’s more likely to tell the truth if it’s just me. Perhaps this is how I’m supposed to repay my debt, but he couldn’t tell me because I’d never agree.’ She chewed her lip. ‘You see, that’s what doesn’t make sense. I had no idea any of this had happened. He could have just carried on organising little getaways, making me think it was a treat for me and companionship for him. But now I know… well, I’ll never go anywhere with him ever again.’

‘What if he says you have to, or he’ll tell Fiona and the police about you stealing the money?’

‘I’m not sure he would, though, because surely he covered up a crime by paying what I owed?’ Her head was aching, and she rubbed at her temples, trying to ease the pain. ‘The deal is off, I’ve already told him that. But I need to know if there’s any more video footage.’ She felt the blood drain from her face, hands covering her mouth the moment she’d spoken the words. ‘I was there for two nights.’

What else did they do to me?

A shiver of revulsion ran through her. ‘I’ve got to go to bed. Honestly, I can’t think about this any more.’ Her jaw clenched. ‘But tomorrow, I’m going to get to the truth.’

Hailey nodded. ‘And I’ll have a chat with Matt. See if I can get him to reconsider.’

‘It’s a deal.’ Sara flashed a quick smile at her sister before making her way upstairs.

As she lay in bed, her head on the pillow that smelt of Ezra, she ached for her children, for the life that she’d had. The life that she appeared to have lost.

Unless I can work out a way to get it back.

With that thought in her head, and determination in her heart, she finally fell asleep.

Chapter Twenty-Six