‘Am I speaking in tongues here?’ Gabby’s voice intensified. ‘GO.’ Heads rose in their direction, but they did not linger for long.

Sarah’s cheeks burned with humiliation. ‘Can I have a word in private … Sarge?’

Gabby’s eyes narrowed as her head rose from her monitor. Sarah stood firm. A beat passed between them as Gabby sized her up.

‘Make it quick.’ She pointed to the room nicknamed ‘the confessional’. It was one of the few places that offered some privacy, and was the DI’s office before he moved to the bigger one across the hall. It was easy to understand why. The room was cramped and claustrophobic, with cheap metal shelving filled with box files lining each wall. As Sarah followed her sergeant inside, she summoned every ounce of courage. Start as you mean to go on.

‘I get the feeling that I’m not wanted here.’

‘And?’ Gabby surveyed her with cold interest.

‘Well, what then …’ Sarah began to witter. She had expected a denial at the very least. ‘What do you want me to do? Leave? Is that it?’

‘You don’t get to do that.’ Gabby raised her finger in a tick-tock motion. ‘You don’t get to whine and complain after we’ve kept your job open for a year. What did you expect when you sauntered back in here? Bunting? Champagne?’

Sarah stared at her shoes. She had gone too far. She should have just gone home. ‘Sorry,’ she said, feeling her throat constrict. Oh God, don’t cry. ‘It’s just that … I don’t think I should be blamed for what my husband did. I didn’t know …’ Her chin wobbled as her emotions built in the back of her throat.

But Gabby just shook her head. ‘You don’t get it, do you? It’s nothing to do with him. There are consequences to having your job unfilled for this long. We couldn’t hire a replacement with you claiming sick pay. We’ve all had to pull your weight.’

Sarah bowed her head. She had been so busy blaming David that she hadn’t thought of the team struggling in her absence.

‘Your ambitions are running ahead of your ability,’ Gabby said. ‘You’ve had a good day. You got us a lead – a decent one. But don’t expect our heartfelt thanks, because we’ve been sinking while you’ve been gone. You should be thanking us for covering your arse for so long.’

‘I thought everyone hated me because of what he did.’

‘And would you blame them? They’d been betrayed by their own sergeant. A man who gave his team a bad name. Isn’t there enough hatred towards the police without him proving them right?’ She stared at Sarah, unblinking. ‘We would have had a lot more respect if you’d faced the music, rather than hiding away.’

‘I wasn’t well …’