Sara understood now why Julia had been so helpful. With Fiona out of the way, there were empty shoes to be filled, and Julia was all about raising her profile. She was ambitious, had her eye on becoming the local MP. Yes, it had all worked out perfectly as far as she was concerned.

‘I’m done with favours,’ Sara said. Julia’s sense of humour certainly took a bit of getting used to. Had it really been a joke?

‘Sure I can’t tempt you? Maybe a pay rise? Obviously, the role no longer involves the finances. That’s been contracted out, so you don’t have to worry on that score. But we could do with your enthusiasm and your fund-raising ideas.’

Sara shook her head. ‘No, I’m sorry, I can’t come back here. We’re moving to Skipton anyway. My house has been sold and I’m buying a place with my sister; that way we can afford something with enough room for all of us and share the costs. It’ll be easier with childcare. Better all round really, especially as the girls didn’t want to go back to school in Ilkley after what happened.’ She managed a smile. ‘It’ll be a fresh start.’

‘Oh, well that’s a shame,’ Julia said. ‘But if you’re looking for a new job, I can put a word in for you at a few places.’

Sara shook her head. She hoped she didn’t seem ungrateful, but she was determined never to be indebted to anyone ever again. ‘That’s a very kind offer, but I’ve already got myself a job; just part-time as a home carer. It’ll keep the money coming in while I retrain.’

Julia raised an eyebrow.

‘I’m doing a community development course with the Open University,’ she added, somehow feeling the need to justify her plans. ‘And I have to get the kids settled before I think about my career. They’ve got to be my priority.’

Julia gazed at her. ‘Well, you’ve got my number if you change your mind.’

Sara nodded and made a mental note to delete the number as soon as she left the office. Although Julia had been extremely supportive, she wasn’t sure she trusted her. She was part of Fiona’s network after all, and Sara shuddered at the thought of being pulled back into that web of deceit.

She was free now. All debts paid, all favours returned. And that was how it was going to stay.

* * *

If you loved One Mistake, don’t miss Love You Gone, a gripping psychological thriller about a woman who discovers her husband and children are missing… but all is not what it seems.

Love You Gone

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‘Hello? Police? My husband and our children… they’re gone.’