As Tommy sighed behind her, Anna scrutinised Paula’s face: ‘I have some powder in my bag, would you like to use some? I got extreme sunburn in the summer in Mexico, this worked wonders until the skin healed up properly.’ She pulled it out and at the same time held Paula’s tote bag aloft. ‘Oh, and I went back to the sauna, found this on the reception desk. I think it belongs to you?’

‘My bag!’ Paula smiled and reached for it and upended it on the floor. ‘Nothing’s missing,’ she said.

A sudden stillness came over the room and Paula looked up at Anna. ‘How did you know it was mine?’ she asked. ‘There’s nothing with any ID in here.’

Anna fought to control the flush that threatened to creep up her neck. Was Paula calling her out? Had she figured out who had both locked her in the sauna and stolen her bag? She felt her eyes glinting dangerously and consciously softened her expression.

‘I never saw anyone else in the spa this afternoon apart from you. I figured it must be yours.’

Her tone was flat and hard; she heard it and wondered if Paula would challenge her. She darted a look at Tommy, still behind the bar, checking his watch.

‘Are we going to dinner then?’ he asked.

Paula stood up. ‘Yes, let me just put this away.’ She held it up, shook it at Tommy as she walked past him. ‘Look, Anna found my bag that I lost in the spa.’

He raised his eyes. ‘So, you got locked in the sauna and lost your stuff? Good going, even for you!’

Oh, how barbed and nasty their relationship was, thought Anna as she watched the exchange with interest. And yet Paula didn’t react. Was she so used to her husband’s scathing remarks that they just sailed over her head these days? Or did she wear a mask for him, only to cry in private? Perhaps the prize of the five-bedroom house and all the trimmings that came with it was enough to allow her to put up with the disrespect?

If it was, Anna could identify with that.

‘That powder was great, thank you,’ said Paula as the three of them left the cabin and walked down the corridor. The hallway was narrow, and the two women walked together, Tommy in the lead.

‘It’s a good one, I got it in New York and I always stock up when I’m there.’ Anna smiled at her. ‘You can keep that one.’

Paula blanched. ‘Oh, I couldn’t, it’s obviously expensive.’

Anna put a hand on her arm. ‘I insist.’