Passing through the hall, her attention was caught by a silhouette in the opaque glass in the front door. Someone hovering outside? Diana’s heart leapt into her throat. A slim figure – a woman, it appeared – now turning away from the door.

Stepping closer, she made sure the chain was in place and eased the door open. ‘Excuse me,’ she called, as the woman walked back down the drive towards the road. ‘Can I help you?’

The woman turned around. She was quite young – in her twenties, Diana guessed, squinting at her under the harsh glow of the security light.

‘Sorry,’ the girl said. ‘I wasn’t sure whether to knock.’

‘Well, it seems a bit silly not to, since you’re obviously here for a reason.’ Diana smiled and released the chain. She looked harmless enough. Timid, almost.

‘Yes.’ The girl smiled nervously back. ‘I wanted to talk to you.’

‘About?’ Diana asked curiously.

‘Your husband.’ The girl’s gaze skittered down and back again. ‘I work at Fenton’s Bespoke Plumbing. I’m the receptionist there, and…’ She paused and drew in a long breath, as if bracing herself. ‘I’ve decided to report him, Mrs Fenton. The things he does, the way he treats people, it’s not right.’

She stopped, her expression uncomfortable. ‘I thought you should know. It might have implications for his family, and…’

‘I see.’ Diana nodded slowly. The day of reckoning could be fast approaching. ‘You’d better come in,’ she said, stepping back into the hall.

Half an hour later, Abbie, who’d been more in need of the brandy than Diana, had filled her in regarding her husband’s behaviour, which didn’t come as any surprise: his harassment of staff, his bullying, the sexual innuendo, inappropriate body contact, the touching. Diana knew the man she was married to. She was aware of his reputation. She hadn’t loved him as a woman should love a husband, but finding herself pregnant, she’d chosen a life of luxury. It hadn’t taken her long to realise she’d chosen unwisely.

‘There’s something else,’ Abbie said. Though Diana had assured her that anything she told her about Robert and any consequences of reporting him wouldn’t destroy her, she looked more worried than ever. ‘It’s about Jason. Your son-in-law…’ the girl went on falteringly. ‘You know he came to see Robert regarding financial backing for his company?’

Diana straightened in her chair. ‘I do,’ she said, keeping her tone impassive, though her radar was on red alert.