‘Um.’ Oli’s face grows hot. ‘Amy didn’t get through to the next heat. Kate came third and I’m not sure if she … I lost track of where they’re up to.’

Dean waves at someone over her shoulder, smiles at someone else. Gives someone else a thumbs-up. With his top button undone and his sleeves rolled up, his transition from corporate hotshot to down-to-earth, hands-on father is seamless. In both roles he exudes an easy, comfortable charm. Standing next to him, Oli feels even more exposed, her shapeless jumper somehow making her more mumsy than the actual parents around her, who are almost universally clad in branded activewear.

‘I think that’s Kate,’ Oli says desperately. ‘Down there.’ She points to a huddle of girls wrapped in towels near the end of the pool. ‘See?’

Dean gives her a strange look. ‘I’ll head down, make sure they know I’m here.’

‘Okay. Yes, of course. I’ll stay here with all this stuff.’

He nods and squeezes her hand again, then jerks his head toward her phone, which has started to ring on the wooden bench, slowly vibrating its way toward the edge. Cooper’s name flashes up on the screen. ‘Looks like your boyfriend’s calling you,’ Dean says lightly, heading off to find his daughters.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

DEAN IS TAKING HER OUT FOR DINNER. HE ANNOUNCES THIS AS THE night air hits their faces, freezing after the warmth of the leisure centre. The twins walk in front of them, exclaiming at the cold.

‘I got a cab here,’ Dean says, ‘so I’ll come with you guys. I’ll drive.’ He gives Oli’s hand a suggestive squeeze. ‘Nina’s at the house, so we can just drop the girls off and go somewhere local.’

‘Okay.’ Oli can’t shake the feeling she is in trouble. Isabelle’s diaries are like a lead weight in her bag, and all she wants to do is go somewhere on her own to read them. She’s working on different theories, running them through her mind until something catches.

The podcast is going live in the morning, sometime between nine and ten—as long as the paper can set up the technology quickly enough. The advertising is on standby along with the brand new bespoke social media accounts. Cooper is still angry; he was all business on the phone, only calling to let her know everyone had approved the edit. But there was a definite hint of pride when he told her that Samsung had signed on as a major sponsor.

The car comes to a stop, and Oli looks up, confused. Blinks into the light of a neon sign.

Dean stretches across the console and whispers, ‘Special treat for the girls.’ He turns to the twins. ‘Dumplings for my star swimmers?’