Louisa took a pen, and, turning over a photo depicting just her and Oliver, wrote:

Don’t trust Oliver.

She didn’t know where to go from here. It was as though she were on a speeding merry-go-round, turning one way then suddenly reversing. Currently she felt sick, she was whizzing around backwards, unable to make sense of any of the information she had. If only she wasn’t missing large chunks of memory.

She knew one thing, though: she should back off. And from now on she shouldn’t let Oliver in when he turned up at her door. He’d soon have to move on; he’d get the message that Louisa couldn’t help him anymore. Which was true. She couldn’t. She’d done what he’d asked, gone to the police, supported him. Now it was all in the hands of the detectives.

But why didn’t this thought give her comfort?

She had a strong suspicion Oliver Dunmore was not finished with her yet.

The Facebook message from Tiff was as abrupt as her text message had been.

More drama? Busy at the min, but catch you later.

Louisa narrowed her eyes and huffed. Clearly something was going on. Without thinking through other options, Louisa unfolded the pram, bundled Noah in it and then grabbed the baby-changing bag and her house keys.

She’d walk over to Tiff’s and find out what was going on with her. If she turned up at her house, she’d be less inclined to brush her off. Although, that hadn’t stopped her yesterday. This time though, Louisa wasn’t going to go quietly.

The pram wedged itself on the top step of the doorway.

‘For God’s sake!’ Louisa pushed it, but the wheels were jammed. Carefully swinging the top part of the pram around and going out backwards, she was able to bypass the obstruction.

A large box, now slightly crushed, sat half on, half off the step. She didn’t have time to open it – she wanted to get to Tiff’s before she buggered off. Louisa unlocked the front door again and picked up the box, noting it wasn’t for her anyway – it was addressed to Brian – and placed it just inside the hall. She hadn’t received a gift from Brian other than her nightmare party, so she wondered if the box contained a present for her actual birthday on Friday.

Louisa took the direct route to Tiff’s, no detours today. Approaching the driveway cautiously, she tilted her head to see over the hedge. The gate was open. For a moment, she slumped, disappointed that she’d obviously missed her. But then she saw the Audi in the driveway. A mixed feeling of relief and nerves consumed her. Whatever was going on with Tiff, Louisa had to consider the very real possibility that she wasn’t going to like it.