‘I have never hurt you – don’t you dare lie like this.’ Oliver’s arms hung loosely at his sides, as though all his energy had been sucked from him and he didn’t have the strength to hold them up anymore.

‘I know you didn’t set out to. Not at first. But you orchestrated this trip to Devon; you got yourself an invite to Louisa’s party. It’s because you wanted her, needed her. That’s why I wanted to meet her – to find out why. And boy, I found out all right. You needed her to help cleanse your guilt, you sick—’

‘Please, don’t listen to her, Lou-Lou, she’s bloody lost it.’ Oliver lurched towards Melissa – she sidestepped and backed up behind Louisa. ‘This is what she does, Lou, you have to believe me. Why would I lie to you? She’s jealous of you, that’s all. That’s the only reason she wanted to meet you. This whole stupid disappearing act to try and pin it on me – it’s pathetic. You won’t win, Melissa.’

‘I already have, Oliver. Don’t you see? Your precious Lou-Lou knows everything. You can’t hide the truth from her any longer.’

‘You’re deluded.’

‘It’s great, isn’t it, how men pull that line when they know they’re trapped?’ Louisa suddenly felt more confident, furious at the game Oliver had played. Was still playing. ‘It’s mind games, manipulation. Make the woman out to be deranged, put the onus on her to prove she isn’t. It won’t work now, though. I’ve figured it all out and I think it’s safe to say you know that. You lied then, and you’re lying now. Nothing you say will make me waver. Melissa is telling the truth, I’m one hundred per cent certain of that.’

‘Oh, dear, dear Lou. How on earth can you be certain of anything? You couldn’t even remember feeding your own baby.’ Oliver’s facial expression changed from the concerned, worried look to a smug, menacing expression in an instant, the sudden flip making Louisa’s muscles tense.

‘Is that why you were happy to make me believe I was the one who’d committed murder? Because I was a soft touch and you were confident you could convince me it was all my fault?’

Oliver closed his eyes and sucked in a large lungful of air. ‘I have no idea what you’re rattling on about. I’m getting a little fed up with this circus now.’

‘Are you? Ah, that’s a shame because we’re only just beginning the show.’ Melissa turned to Louisa and smiled widely before placing one arm around her shoulder.

‘Bloody women, sticking together like a pathetic women’s union – fucking feminism has such a lot to answer for.’