He felt a twinge of doubt. Was this possible? It would explain it, that was for sure. But it would mean Annabelle had had an affair – or something of that nature – and then lied to him when the man she’d had an affair with had kidnapped their kids.

It was almost impossible to believe.

But then the entire thing was almost impossible to believe.

‘What do you suggest?’ he said.

‘Ask her.’

‘She won’t like it. Do you want to?’

‘Not with our history,’ said Tessa. ‘We’re friends now, but you know.’

He did know. They had not got off to a great start. It wasn’t their fault, but still.

‘OK,’ he said. ‘I’ll mention it.’

Annabelle

Matt and Tessa came back into the room. Matt looked shaken and frightened. Tess had a serious look on her face. She did not meet Annabelle’s gaze.

Matt sat next to her on the couch. He nodded at Tessa and Mike. ‘I need to speak to Annabelle alone,’ he said. ‘Only for a moment.’

‘What is it?’ she said, when they were alone.

Matt seemed almost nervous. He folded his arms. ‘You had any more ideas?’

‘About what?’

‘About who it might be?’

‘No.’ She caught his eye. ‘Have you?’

‘I did have a thought,’ he said. ‘A possible explanation.’

‘And?’

‘Tessa – we were talking and she had an idea. About who might be responsible.’

‘Tessa?’ she said. ‘What did she say?’

‘What if it’s someone who’s in love with you?’

‘We went through this already. There’s no one.’

‘Maybe someone you don’t want to tell me about.’ He looked away, unable to hold her gaze.

‘Like who?’

‘Annabelle,’ he said. ‘This is a possibility, that’s all. No one is saying it’s true. But we owe it to our kids to examine every avenue, right?’

‘Right.’ She paused. She didn’t like where this was going, and, if the expression on his face was anything to go by, neither did he. ‘What avenue is this, Matt? Who might be in love with me who I don’t want you to know about?’

‘Someone who – if you had’ – he inhaled deeply – ‘if you had had an affair, or a fling, or even simply gave someone reason to think—’

‘If I had had an affair?’ Annabelle said. She could barely believe what he was saying. ‘Are you suggesting I have a secret boyfriend?’

‘No,’ Matt said. ‘But if there was someone.’ He paused and lifted up his hands, palms facing her. ‘I’m not accusing you of anything—’

‘It sounds like you are.’

‘—but think about it. One explanation could be a jilted lover. A one-night stand—’

‘This is insane, Matt. Stop talking. Please.’

He looked away. ‘I’m not saying you did anything, Annabelle. But theoretically this is an explanation and we have to explore every possible avenue. That’s all.’

‘Was this your sister’s idea?’