He watched his friend trudge slowly back along the lane, head down and shoulders drooping. What has happened? Matt thought. Whisper Fen used to be a happy place, but now an old lady was fleeing her home and a happily married couple were disintegrating before his eyes. Oh yes, and not to forget their other neighbour, the possible paedophile, just down the road in Tylers Lane.

Shaking his head, Matt got into his car and revved the engine.

* * *

Will made his way slowly down the lane, trying to gather up the tattered remnants of his composure before going into the house. Right now, he couldn’t trust himself to speak to Kate. He would be sure to say something he’d regret, words he couldn’t take back.

He sat on a wooden feeding trough and stared out across the salt marsh. He had to remember that he was not dealing with a rational person, to remind himself that Kate was ill and that was why she was behaving as she was. Most of all, despite her betrayal, he knew she still loved him.

He felt drained. Empty and confused, and lonely. Then he thought of Matt and Liz. Matt was right. He should say nothing to Kate about what she’d done. After all, she had suffered a similar illness in the past and come through it. With his help and love, she would do it again.

His phone rang. It was Matt. ‘I’ve been thinking, Will, and I had to ring.’

‘You can only be five minutes up the road!’

‘I know, but listen. You know how much Kate is obsessed with the house. I swear she simply couldn’t stop herself from going to the Holland woman’s funeral. To her mind, she had no choice. It had nothing to do with not wanting to go to Canada with you. Just think, she really couldn’t have stood at a graveside, not after little Emma. It would have destroyed her. The Holland funeral was quite different. She saw it as a responsibility that she couldn’t neglect. She was compelled to go. You do see where I’m coming from, don’t you?’

Will exhaled. ‘Yes. Yes, I think I do.’

‘So, keep what you know to yourself, okay?’

Will felt a rush of affection for Matt Ballard. He was truly lucky to have such a caring friend. ‘I’ll do as you say, Matt. And we’ll talk tomorrow. Oh, and thank you. I could have really blown it this evening.’

‘Hang on in there, my friend.’

Will spent the rest of the way back to the house rehearsing what he would say to Kate. He had never been a good actor. Eventually, he decided to blame any change in his behaviour on the pain in his arm.