The dejection was back, Diana sensed, but at least Karla seemed to be shifting the blame from herself now, which she needed to do. She’d carried too much blame in her life – convincing herself that she was somehow responsible for Sarah’s death, which was ludicrous. The blame lay squarely on the shoulders of Robert, a man with no conscience who’d bullied and lied his way out of culpability.

‘I don’t think he was doing that, darling,’ she said carefully. ‘From where I was standing, he looked genuinely put out to me.’

‘Put out, yes,’ Karla agreed, a fatalistic edge now to her voice, ‘because I was making a fool of myself, therefore making a fool out of him. Embarrassing him, clearly.’

‘Karla…’ Diana felt her heart bleed for her. ‘You dance with your soul. There were many men’s eyes on you that night. Many women’s, too. They were green with envy. Some of them would give an arm to look like you do. Please stop doubting yourself, darling. You’re a beautiful, talented young woman.’

‘Ha,’ Karla answered, with a self-deprecating laugh this time. ‘Would that my husband thought so.’

Oh, Karla. ‘Would you like me to come over?’ Diana asked. ‘We could watch a film, or just have a good girl talk? It might help.’

‘No,’ Karla answered tiredly. ‘I mean, I’d love it, but it’s getting a bit late now, and the children are in bed. I’ll be fine, Mum, I promise. I just wanted someone to tell me I’m beautiful.’ She laughed again, albeit sadly.

‘You are,’ Diana assured her. ‘Are you sure though? I can be there in half an hour.’

‘I’m sure. I’m going to try on some clothes I went shopping for after work. And then have a bath – with lots of bath oil and a large glass of wine on the side, obviously.’

‘New clothes, hey?’ Diana was relieved to hear she’d opted for retail therapy rather than retreating into herself, as she tended to do.

‘I’m reinventing myself.’ Karla attempted to sound positive. For her sake, Diana guessed. ‘Out with the old and in with the new, more confident me.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it,’ Diana said, feeling slightly more assured herself. ‘Enjoy. But don’t get too sozzled. You’ll only regret it. And remember, Karla, I’m here if you do need to talk.’

‘I will. Thanks, Mum. Love you. Night night.’

‘Love you too, sweetheart. Night night.’

Diana placed her phone back down on the work surface and studied it for a second, tempted to ring Jason herself. But then, that might only exacerbate their problems. Having an interfering mother-in-law meddling in his affairs wouldn’t help Jason’s mood any.