‘Well, Mr Woodburn, I can’t know what was in the accused’s mind,’ Rohan acknowledged. ‘But I do know John Santino put up a new dating profile on Tinder two days after Kendra Bartlett was killed.’

There was an audible intake of breath and a wave of appalled muttering through the courtroom.

Anita noticed Santino turn, searching for Brooke, but she kept her head tilted down, staring at her huge taut belly. It was hard to tell if she was hiding from the curious stares of others in the courtroom or if this was a meaningful vote of no-confidence in her boyfriend.

Even Woodburn didn’t look quite as relaxed and smug as he usually did. Several members of the jury were looking at Santino with open disgust now.

From her seat in the courtroom, Anita texted Paula.

They’ve got him. This monster is going to jail. A xx

That evening, Rohan and Anita conducted a ceremonial opening of the remaining containers of Chilean comfort food to mark one full month of their relationship. Anita resolved to ring Paula in the morning and arrange for the three of them to have dinner together—an official ‘boyfriend introduction’ dinner.

THIRTEEN

WHEN PAULA ARRIVED AT THE RESTAURANT IN CHIPPENDALE, she could see the new couple already sitting at a table and she waved. Anita jumped up, slightly clumsy, as if nervous about how the evening would go.

The two women hugged and kissed hello, and then there was an awkward little moment as Paula turned to greet Rohan. Should they shake hands solemnly like two people who had met over the murdered bodies of her dear friend and two children? Or should they exchange pecks on the cheek as a best friend meeting the new boyfriend?

Paula could see Rohan Mehta hesitate—calm, but clearly waiting for Paula to make the call. In the end, she decided to split the difference.

‘It’s really good to see you again, Rohan,’ said Paula, and she reached out to put her hand on his forearm.

‘You too,’ he said, squeezing her arm affectionately.

Through dinner, Anita was flustered, laughing a bit too loudly, fiddling with the buttons on her shirt. At one point, when Anita was gabbling about the food, Paula met Rohan’s gaze. They shared a faint smile, silently acknowledging that they should both calmly ride out Anita’s nervous energy until she felt sure enough the evening would go well.

And the evening did go well.

Rohan and Anita were so together, so clearly enjoying each other, that it gave Paula a pang of missing Remy. But seeing Anita happy was worth it. And anyway, sometimes the ache of missing her man, remembering him with ramped-up intensity, had its own consolation. She didn’t say any of this out loud, of course.