‘Me and Fiona, well, we had a bit of a…’ He pursed his lips. ‘I’m not sure what you’d call it. A fling?’

Sara stared at him, eyes wide. That was the last thing she’d been expecting to hear. Fiona was such a pillar of the community, exuding virtue and involved in so many good causes, it seemed like a contradiction in terms. An affair? Fiona and James? She turned to look out of the window so he wouldn’t catch the incredulity that was surely plastered all over her face.

She let his words roll round her mind. Fiona’s husband was quite a bit older than her, and was away a lot, but when he was home, he doted on her, buying her expensive gifts, taking her on romantic weekends away. Sara had often thought Fiona had hit the jackpot, having plenty of free time to pursue her own interests and still being treated like royalty by an adoring spouse. In truth, she’d felt a little jealous of the way Fiona’s husband so obviously cherished her, when she and Matt seemed to be drifting apart.

‘Really?’ The word burst out before she could stop it, struggling to believe it was true.

James laughed. ‘Don’t sound so surprised. Some women do find me attractive, you know.’

Sara looked out of the window. I do know. She could see his reflection in the glass, his profile, the amused curve of his lips, his straight nose, not too big, not too small. Everything in his face in proportion. There was no doubt that he was attractive, no doubt at all.

‘It didn’t last long. I felt there was… I don’t know.’ He pursed his lips, considering. ‘Let’s just say I wasn’t comfortable and ended things before it got started really. But you know what Fiona’s like. Has to have everything her own way, and she hasn’t forgiven me.’ She studied his reflection in the window, saw him glance at her. ‘She employed you to get back at me, you know. Wanted to oust me from my post when Dad was ill and I couldn’t put in the time. Thankfully, the other board members wouldn’t agree. I’ve been managing the place for years. Since way before Fiona joined the board.’ He sighed. ‘Anyway, we are where we are. But if she starts being funny with you, well, you’ll know why. She’s got a bit of a jealous streak, has our Fiona.’

Sara closed her eyes, suddenly weary, wondering how her life had got so complicated. One lie on top of another. She thought about football practice, Fiona turning up to collect Chelsea. Quickly she got her phone out of her bag, tapped out a message.