‘Your precious Jack. He pushed me and pushed me, lied and slept with other women, and I didn’t take it lying down. Oh no. I stood up for myself. But he was cold. Denied it. Drove me mad. Because, you see, he wasn’t the first to do it to me. Some other scum ran off with my mate and lied. I thought Jack was different.’

Nick interrupts.

‘Don’t upset yourself, love. It’s OK.’

She nods at him.

‘I need to get this out. I’m sick of having to shut up. Make us a brew, sweetie, yeah?’

I look at her. Less make-up, fewer extensions. No tan. She carries on.

‘So it went too far. I caught him in his car with this blonde bitch and dragged her out. He told me some fucked-up story about giving her a lift and she ran off. I punched him. I’m not proud of it, but he’d pushed me right to the limit. I lashed out. He called the police. I was charged with actual bodily harm.’

Bloody hell. I panic. There but for the grace of God go I. That could have been me and Pam.

‘So to cut a very long story short, he abused me and got away with it, and I was punished for defending myself.’

We’re both silent. It’s all clicking into place, what a coward you are. Like mother, like son. Eventually I manage to speak.

‘I’m sorry I came here. But you must realise—’

‘How fucking mad you are? Yes. And so do the police. Some policewoman has read that fucking journal. She warned me you might come here. Said it had made you unbalanced. Join the fucking club.’

I turn to leave. This was a big mistake. But she grabs my arm.

‘Not so fast. I haven’t finished yet. The thing is, Caroline, we were all used. Sure, we knew he was married, but we all thought we could change him. And he let us think that. And now we’re all caught up in your and Jack’s little fuck-up. Whether we like it or not.’

She folds her arms and stands in front of me. My eyes stray to her stomach.

‘Is that …?’

‘No, it isn’t. I’m with Nick now. We’re happy. We’re getting married as soon as this nightmare is over. And a word of advice: if you ever come near me again, I’ll have you locked up. I’m only not doing it now because I feel sorry for you. I know what could have happened and, just this once, I’ll save you from that. But next time—’

‘I’m not fucking mad.’