‘Always. I go for an hour, come back, quick shower and a green smoothie, catch up on emails, and then I get the kids up for school.’

‘Right.’ Of course she did. You didn’t get to be Supermum by starting your day whenever your child woke you up and by cramming jam crumpets in your mouth with a litre of caffeine.

‘Where on earth have you been?’

‘I’m just on my way back from the shops.’

Rochelle looked at her watch. ‘It’s 5.40 a.m.’ She gave me a once-over, taking in my smudged eye make-up, tight black catsuit and rumpled hair.

‘There’s that big twenty-four-hour Tesco’s.’

‘What did you need to get so urgently it couldn’t wait?’

‘Baking stuff. For that charity coffee morning today.’ Take that, Supermum. ‘You know how it is. I couldn’t sleep and suddenly remembered I hadn’t made any cupcakes. And I couldn’t let the school down.’

‘Right. So you got up, got dressed in a catsuit . . .’

‘It’s actually a Weight Loss Onesie. It’s made of special imported Italian fabric that burns fat while you sleep.’

She looked at each of my empty hands. ‘But you didn’t buy anything?’

‘All in here.’ I tapped the bum bag. ‘Vanilla essence and sprinkles.’ She couldn’t catch me out. I was a trained liar. ‘You’d better get running if want to get that full hour in.’

‘I can’t wait to taste them. Make sure you show me which are yours.’ She gave a little wave as she jogged off.

I doubted I had convinced Rochelle. But at least what was reassuring was that she would just presume I was cheating opposed to fighting.

It wasn’t easy leading a double life. If a nosey school mum could spot the cracks, my husband could too.

I had to be more careful.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: TOP SECRET Natural Herpes Remedy!

MISSION: #80521

UNIT: WHISTLE

DATE: Thursday 3rd October

ALERT: 3 DAYS UNTIL PENG’S DEPARTURE

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

‘THEY’RE SO AMAZING, MAMA.’

Gigi was staring at my lopsided emergency-baked cupcakes, covered in pink icing and rainbow sprinkles.

‘They best cupcakes ever, Mama.’ It was moments like this that made it worth having children. Blind adoration. I was already dreading the day she grew up and knew better.

‘I didn’t hear you come in.’ Will came up behind me.

‘Passed out on the sofa down here.’

‘And already been baking?’

‘A mother’s work is never done.’ I looked over at Will pouring himself a coffee. ‘Did you know Rochelle lives round here? Her son is at Gigi’s nursery.’

Will took a sip of coffee. ‘I did know that, yes.’ He went to sit down at the table with Gigi. I watched him continue to drink his coffee as he stared at his phone.