‘It’s my own fault, though. Like you said, I knew. But I was trying to keep my family together.’

She laughs.

‘Yeah. Vicious circle. But it’s not your fault. Nobody tells you because they think you already know. Divide and rule. That’s what he did to us, you know. I felt bad because he was coming on to me. So I couldn’t be around you and the kids. So I just left it. The thing you’re not seeing is that all those women you’ve posted pictures of are in the same boat. Isolated. They believed a bullshitter.’

It’s a little too far for my imagination to stretch.

‘But they knew he was married.’

‘Yeah. But they also knew he was leaving you. And by the time they discovered he wasn’t it was too late; he’d trapped them. You know, Caz, this is only one person’s fault. Jack. It’s Jack’s fault.’

I know she’s right. I know she is. But I hated those women. Even so, that’s no reason to ruin their lives. What have I done?

‘The thing is, I’ve done more than post pictures.’

I tell Paula everything I’ve done and she listens intently. I tell her about Christine Dearden, Frances’s shop and how I only just stopped myself from taking revenge on Pam. I tell her about the Premier Inn men and the photographs, leaving out the stolen credit cards and being careful not to mention the journal. When I’ve finished, she shakes her head.

‘So what happens now?’

It’s suddenly very clear to me.

‘I need a fresh start. But first I have to finish this. I can’t go back and I can’t move forward without my children. You know, I was talking to him in my head. He literally drove me mad. But since I saw my kids in that house, he’s gone, Paula. I can’t feel him any more.’

‘What about his mother?’

She grimaces as she says it. Paula never liked Missy.

‘She’s got the kids. She’s backed him all the way. But he hasn’t got custody. I need to hold it all down until Tuesday, then I have a chance to have my say at social services. Laura’s been asking for me.’

She finally smiles.

‘Right then, I’m going support you. I want to make it up to you. I’m not the bitch I was, Caz. I’ve had a bad time, but let’s get this sorted out first, then we’ll have a good old chat. Yeah? Tell you what, if the shit really hits the fan and it all comes out about what you’ve done, I’ll be your alibi. You were with me, right?’

‘I can’t, Paula. I’ve done those things, not you. I don’t want to drag you into it.’

She smiles.