‘Would it be really weird and inappropriate if I hugged you at this point?’ Anita asked.

Damien spluttered a laugh. ‘I work in the theatre. We’re forever hugging each other.’

So on the Elizabeth Street footpath, Anita wrapped her arms around Kendra’s friend.

FIFTEEN

WHEN THE SANTINO VERDICT CAME UP ONLINE, PAULA thought she would be ready for it. Anita had prepared her for the possibility that the case had careered out of control, but still, the news hit her like an unexpected shove and she had to hang on to the edge of her desk to keep her balance.

And then there was the voicemail from Anita, describing the way Santino had smirked as he strolled out of the courtroom with his arm hooked around his pregnant girlfriend.

Driving home from the surgery that day, Paula reminded herself not to give in to catastrophic thinking and jump to the worst prognosis for Brooke Lester.

John Santino had killed his previous girlfriend and then lied about it, but he might now regret what he’d done. The shock of Kendra’s death, followed by the scrutiny of the trial, could render him less of a danger to his current girlfriend. And maybe his sister—manipulative as she was—now had the measure of her brother and would hold him in check in the future.

There must also be hope the new baby could ease things. Paula had seen that happen in the past when patients were entangled in family conflict. The arrival of a baby sometimes softened hard edges and led to a negotiated peace.

When Stacey was heavily pregnant with Cameron, she and Paula used to meet up at Enmore pool.

‘I love floating this giant belly in here,’ Stacey said. ‘The water holds up the weight and gives my tragic swollen ankles a break.’

Gliding along, swishing from side to side like a happy dugong, Stacey chattered about how excited Matt was about the baby.

For a long time before this, Paula had been worried about Matt—his childish jealousy, the moodiness that could contaminate the air around him. On a couple of occasions, Stacey had confided in Paula about some cruel thing her husband had said to her. But he was always torn up with remorse afterwards and Stacey understood that the eruptions of meanness sprang from Matt’s insecurity, so she was confident she could help her husband find his way. Paula heard stories from mutual friends who’d witnessed him verbally abusing Stacey, but Matt was always careful not to do it in front of Paula or Anita. He was too canny for that.

In the pool, Stacey let herself hang, suspended in the deep water, eyes scrunched against the sting of the chlorine, and smiled. ‘Matt’s going to be a great dad,’ she said.