‘Yes, there’s a fee, but … well, just because something’s a paid-for service doesn’t make it an emotionless transaction. That’s the whole point of our venture. We feel we’re doing a really valuable thing.’

I should have guessed, or at least wondered. Liv Zailer booked the appointment at The Tailor’s Cat. It was in her name. I assumed, based on nothing, that it was an appointment for Natalie that she’d booked. As best woman, I thought, Liv was the one in charge of all things administrative.

But Liv Zailer is already married. Chris Gibbs is already married.

Bigamy. That’s what they’re planning. Nothing to do with surrogacy. Nikhil and Natalie have no idea a crime’s about to be committed. They’ll be complicit in something illegal, without their consent. Gibbs is a police officer, for Christ’s sake. What’s wrong with people?

Obvious answer: just about everything.

I’m wondering what to say to Natalie when Charlie calls my name. ‘We need to go,’ she says. Her patchy, contorted face tells me she’s heard every word. Left to my own devices, I’d probably tell Natalie the truth and let her save her business from involvement in a scandal, but it’s not my decision to make. It’s up to Charlie. If Drew were the one at risk of going to prison, I’d want to be in charge.

Do bigamists go to prison? Is bigamy still a common crime? Was it once? I think it must be rare. I’ve hardly ever heard of it happening, unlike every other illegal act I can name: murder, rape, burglary, fraud and the gang.

‘I’d better dash. I’ve also got a friend waiting.’ I smile at Natalie. ‘Good luck with everything – and let’s get together very soon!’

‘Yes, let’s!’ she agrees.

I go back to the car, inside which the mood has changed into something almost frightening.

‘Drive,’ Charlie orders in a voice I don’t recognise. ‘Drive, and say nothing.’

After she’s been silent for an hour and smoked eight cigarettes, I ask her what she’s planning to do. ‘No idea,’ she says.

‘I think Simon knows.’ I’m not sure if I’m helping or making things worse. All I know is, I needed to tell her. Gabe deserves to be lied to; Charlie doesn’t.

At least I’m not a bigamist. At least I’m not a murderer. There are worse people than me out there.

Whose birth families didn’t give them away.

‘Of course Simon knows,’ says Charlie.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Sent: 20 January 2015 04:16:12

Dear Mrs Halliday

I read your latest column in Lifeworld. So, you’ve been ‘too busy’ to read the novels I sent you, have you?