Sweat prickles at the back of my neck. Nothing about her seems genuine anymore. When I think of how remorseful she’s been, how keen to get close to me, to be my friend. How could I have been so easily fooled?

“Thank goodness you found me when you did,” I say, trying to arrange my face into an expression of gratitude, aware of a pulse throbbing in my left eyelid, a flush of heat staining my cheeks. She’ll notice it, surely she will.

Ross has now come upstairs and is standing with us on the landing.

“The important thing is that we did find you,” she says. “And that you and the baby are both fine.” She glances at Ross. “It’s been a worrying twenty-four hours, that’s for sure.”

I watch their faces. Is that some kind of coded joke between the two of them? Were they really worrying about my health, or were they more concerned about whether I was on to them?

Ross nods in agreement. He looks paler than normal. Weaker, somehow. I may be clutching at straws, but I have the distinct impression he’s scared of her, too, that for some inexplicable reason, he’s dancing to her tune. He might be the big, strong, rugby-playing doctor, but Catherine is firmly in control here. I’m in no doubt about that. She has some kind of hold over him, I’m sure of it.

She goes into the spare room and comes out again with her straighteners.

“Can’t live without these things,” she says, smiling broadly. “See you tomorrow at work, Ross. And Lizzie, I’ll ring you in a few days. When you’re feeling better.”

“Yes, that’ll be nice,” I say, knowing that, in a few days’ time, I won’t be here. Can she see it in my face?

We all troop downstairs and say goodbye.

“Catherine?” I say, as she’s about to leave, trying to keep my voice as light and casual as I can. “Did you give Ross the spare keys back?”

She pauses for a beat too long. A flicker of irritation passes across her forehead, but then she delves into her handbag and produces them with a flourish. As the front door closes behind her, Ross visibly relaxes.

Maybe I should confront him right now? Tell him what I know. All the time I’ve been with Ross, I’ve never been scared of him. He’s made me feel safe. Protected. Maybe it was all acting, but I can’t believe he’d willingly do anything to hurt me or the baby.