‘Have you had a chance to speak to Matt yet?’ she asked when her sister answered.

‘I’m sorry, Sara, he wouldn’t really talk about it. I said I’d go over later and help with Ezra. He’s playing up, apparently. But that’s no surprise, is it?’ Hailey sounded weary, an edge of annoyance in her voice. ‘Honestly, I can’t believe what a mess you’ve made of everything. I’m so bloody angry with you.’ The static of her breath crackled down the phone. ‘I know you didn’t deserve what happened to you at that hotel, but if you hadn’t stolen that money and done that stupid deal…’ She gave a grunt of frustration. ‘So much of this you brought on yourself.’

Sara ignored her sister’s telling-off, the words skimming in one ear and out of the other, her mind fixed on Ezra, her heart breaking at how confused and upset he would be without her. He was a sensitive little boy, and Matt didn’t have the patience with him that he had with the girls. ‘I can have Ezra. He can come and stay with us.’

‘You’re not listening!’ Hailey snapped, her words rushing out in an angry hurry, the volume cranked up so Sara would take notice. ‘Look, I’m not sure I even want you in my house. You’ve hurt all the people I love most in the world. The girls are fuming, and have told Cassie, so she’s upset and mad with you as well. And someone has told Matt you were with James at the weekend, so that’s added fuel to the fire.’

Sara gasped, horrified. Who would have done that? ‘Someone? Which someone specifically? Did you tell him, Hailey?’ She must have done, because nobody else knew.

‘No, I bloody didn’t! But I guess it’s a small world, isn’t it? People see things.’

‘What people? Who?’

‘I don’t know. I didn’t ask.’ Hailey was beyond impatient now. ‘Look, I’ve got to go. I’m working. I’ll talk to you later.’

Sara stared at her phone, shocked by her sister’s attitude. She’d been so supportive yesterday, but now she’d spoken to Matt, she’d become just short of hostile. She checked the community centre schedule for the day and was relieved to find that she’d done everything she needed to for the groups who were using the facilities. There were plenty of volunteers around who knew where everything was, and she didn’t think she’d be missed if she took an early lunch. She grabbed her bag and left.