‘Nothing has happened between us, it never would. But I like being around her – she makes me feel, I don’t know – better, somehow. Her bubbliness is contagious, isn’t it?’

Finally, Louisa could take no more. ‘What exactly are you telling me this for?’

‘Because, well, although I like being around her, it feels wrong. Like I’m cheating on you.’

Louisa snorted. ‘Have you had sex with her?’

‘God, no!’

‘Then why does it feel like cheating?’

‘Because of the things we talk about, I guess. And you were so upset when you thought we’d both conspired against you taking Noah to the clinic to be weighed …’

‘Yes, that hurt. It felt underhanded.’

‘I’m so sorry. Tiff thinks the world of you, you know that. And obviously I do. We wanted to do the best thing.’

‘Okay, well what’s done is done. But this doesn’t feel like you’ve told me the full story, Brian. You wouldn’t be feeling this guilty about talking to Tiff. You never have been before. What else is there?’

‘Nothing. There’s nothing more.’

But, despite the fact Brian was looking her directly in the eye, Louisa did not believe those words.

34

THE MISTAKE

Wednesday p.m.

Following Brian’s strange confessional at breakfast, Louisa stabbed out a text message to Tiff – one demanding her attention this time.

Either you come over here, or I’m coming to you in the next 30 mins. I’m not taking no for an answer.

She had to confront the burning issues head-on, face-to-face. Whatever was going on with her and Brian, her and Oliver, their friendship – she had to know. Her phone pinged almost immediately.

On my way.

Louisa lay the mobile down on the coffee table. Clearly, she should’ve tried that approach before, though Tiff’s prompt response was more likely the result of Brian pre-warning her than Louisa’s ‘threat’ itself. She could almost hear Brian’s voice stating: ‘Louisa’s on the warpath, Tiff. Watch out,’ or something similar. She huffed and sank back into the leather sofa, waiting to hear the distinct roar of Tiff’s car engine.

Less than five minutes later, the Audi’s deep grumble came closer and halted outside the house. Louisa watched Tiff emerge from the car. Given she must’ve left in a rush, Tiff looked like she’d just stepped out from a salon – not a hair out of place, the long blonde strands neatly twizzled around in a loose, elegant bun. Leopard-print shoes and matching handbag completed Tiff’s modelesque appearance.

Louisa had to suppress a pang of jealousy. She’d let herself go. Maybe that was one of the reasons Tiff was garnering so much attention from Brian and Oliver.

‘What’s the urgency, Lou? Someone died?’ Tiff air-kissed her as she swept in through the front door.