Tom gestured towards the bay window—There’s a man sitting in a white car in the driveway.

A look of confusion passed over Jo’s face—What?

Who is he? Leslie asked Tom.

I have no idea, but he looks agitated.

My phone began to buzz, and my heart sank. Oh my god, I whispered. I got up and, as if in a kind of trance, I crossed the room to the window. Paul’s car was parked in the driveway, and he was standing beside the open driver’s-side door, with his phone to his ear. I tried to catch my breath. Jo asked me if it was my husband. I heard Tom mutter Christ. Jo appeared at the window beside me, and I told her that I didn’t know what to do. She put her arm around my shoulders. I felt like I was going to collapse.

How does he know? Kyle asked, somewhere in the background.

I turned away from the window and Jo led me back towards the sofa, trying to calm me.

He’s walking to the house, Seema said, looking out the window.

The phone was still buzzing in my hand. How was this happening? My mind raced back. Where did I slip up? Did I leave some kind of clue? My phone hadn’t left my side in days. I told Ashley about the meeting ages ago, the night of Kyle’s phone call, but how did she know the date, the address? Had I said those things aloud? I couldn’t remember now. Jesus Christ. How could she have possibly remembered? We hadn’t even spoken about it since that night. Was she just waiting to test me; to see if I would go? Did she even have a game today? I felt myself spinning out, and my knees gave way, and I was down on the sofa.

Do you want us to deal with him? Tom offered, crouching down beside me. Our eyes met, and I felt a moment of gratitude for him. I told him I didn’t know what to do.

He’s not coming in here, Jo said, as if casting a protective force field around the house.

Not if you don’t want him to, Howard said, looking at me.

I’m—I began to say, but what was I? Scared? Humiliated? An idiot? The phone was still buzzing and buzzing, and I couldn’t take it, so I answered the call. Paul? Are you—? But before I could get the words out, there was a pounding on the front door, followed by several rapid doorbell rings.

Everyone stay where you are, Howard ordered, now standing.

Is he going to try to hurt you? Leslie asked, wedging herself down beside me, and putting her hand on my thigh.