After Brian’s call, Oliver had immediately rushed over to the house to give his support. He was currently feigning shock and disbelief, and Louisa watched as Oliver’s right eye flickered, like a twitch was pulling at the corner. While she couldn’t quite let go of her suspicion he’d had something to do with Tiff’s death, she also had to consider that he wasn’t pretending – after all, he’d already suffered one major shock and although he’d not admitted it, he had also been spending time with Tiff.

So had Brian.

She turned her attention to her husband. His face was drawn, his mouth turned down to such an extent it seemed like it’d slipped further down his face and was closer to his chin. He really was upset. He stared off into the distance, out the back window and into the garden. Quiet contemplation. She wished she could tap directly into his thoughts.

‘Have you put anything on Facebook, Mum?’ Emily’s voice sliced through the atmosphere in the kitchen like a knife through butter. Louisa jumped at the sudden sound breaking the silence.

‘Er … yes. I posted on her timeline. Not until I knew her family had been informed, obviously. I waited for the go-ahead from the police first, too. I just wrote something brief as I didn’t want to go into detail, then added a lovely picture, the one of her at the school fete last year being given flowers by the kids. It was one of her favourite pictures of herself.’ Her voice caught, tears pricking at her eyes. ‘People are commenting with their memories of her. There are hundreds already.’

‘She was so popular, always had been,’ Brian mumbled, his attention remaining outside. He’d said it like he’d known her all her life, rather than for the past eight years through Louisa. She bristled. She was the one who was going to miss her most – she was the one who’d lost her only real friend. She hated fake mourners.

‘I’m going upstairs for a lie-down. Excuse me.’ Louisa pushed away from where she was leaning against the worktop and brushed past Oliver as she headed for the door. A hand reached out and grabbed her upper arm.

‘If you need me, don’t hesitate to call. I know what you’re going through,’ he said.

Louisa shot Brian a glance. He was oblivious, still staring blankly out of the window. But Emily was glaring right at Oliver.

‘I’ll be okay. Thanks.’ Louisa snatched her arm from his grip and walked out. Before she went into the bedroom, she paused on the stairs. She could hear voices, speaking in hushed tones, Oliver and Brian in full conversation now she’d left the room.