Fiona nodded, a pained expression on her face. ‘Yes, I know, I know. But that was before I’d spoken to Julia. I’m sorry.’ She blinked. ‘I shouldn’t have made promises I wasn’t in a position to keep, but Sara, given everything that’s happening at home, I’m not sure your mind’s going to be on your work anyway.’ She squeezed Sara’s arm. ‘I think your family need you more. I know it’s been hard on the children with you working full-time. Sophia and Milly couldn’t help letting slip that you don’t seem to have time for them any more. Perhaps Matt feels that way too. Put your energy into your marriage. That would be best, don’t you think?’

Sara bit back her anger. Shouting at Fiona wouldn’t help, however much she wanted to; if the worst-case scenario happened, and she and Matt separated, then she would need her own income, and even if she wasn’t working at the community centre, she’d need a reference.

‘Okay. Well, I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed.’ Her voice was sharp as a knife, cutting through the air between them.

‘Of course you are. And I’m so sorry to have to give you the news when you’re going through a bit of a rough patch.’ Fiona gave her arm a quick rub. ‘I’m happy to have the girls any time if that helps. Chelsea loves having them over, and they’re no trouble. They’re a credit to you and Matt, they really are.’ She stood and picked up her bag. ‘Well, I’ve got to go. Just wanted to catch you and let you know our decision. It seemed only fair. Shall we say you’ll work till the end of the week? Then you can tidy up any loose ends and we can sort out who will be taking over what jobs.’

Sara nodded, jaw clamped shut, too angry to speak. It was only when Fiona was out of the building and she could see her getting in her car that she allowed herself to scream.

She was still seething an hour later when James arrived.

‘I was hoping to see you today,’ she said when he came into the office, her voice chilly as an Arctic wind. The sight of him repelled her now, and she wondered what she’d been thinking in her little daydreams where they were more than friends. Her finger stabbed the air. ‘You’ve got some explaining to do.’

‘Nice to see you too,’ he said as he closed the door, clearly confused. ‘What’s the problem?’

‘The problem is someone sent Matt a video. It was filmed at the hotel this weekend.’ She spat out the words like bullets, hoping she’d find her mark and see guilt in his face.

He looked genuinely surprised. ‘Someone saw us together? A friend of your husband?’