‘Thanks, love. I did make an extra special effort. I’ve even waxed my bikini line.’

‘Too much, Amber, too much.’ Jo rolls her eyes, tutting.

While I have them to myself, and the boys are occupied with building Hogwarts, I take the opportunity to bring up something that’s been on my mind.

‘Out of curiosity, do either of you know much about Davina’s husband?’

‘Well, now, isn’t this a turn-up for the books? You want to know something about someone else’s personal life?’ Jo says.

She’s right, of course. It’s pretty ironic that I’m the one now digging, trying to get info on another person’s private business when I consistently moan about Davina doing it.

‘Yes, yes. I know. But do you?’

‘Weirdly, no,’ Jo says. She looks to Keeley, who shrugs her agreement. ‘I’m not even sure I’ve ever set eyes on him.’ She looks thoughtful for a moment, obviously trying to dredge up any memory of him. ‘Nope. I’ve heard her talk about him, refer to him in conversation. But I’ve never met the bloke.’

‘He must leave the house!’ I say, flabbergasted that between the three of us, no one can remember having seen him.

‘Maybe she keeps him chained up in there …’ Jo goes to the window and looks up and to the left, in the direction of Davina’s house.

‘Don’t say that, Jo. Stranger things have happened.’

‘See, now that would be the true irony. All these years she’s been sticking her nose into other people’s business, and all the while, she’s been the one with something to hide.’

‘Christ, you’re giving me goose bumps.’ I rub my bare arms. What if?

Another doubt flies through my mind: what if all this time it really is Davina who’s been behind the strange happenings and sabotaged viewings? She comes across as friendly, wanting to “help” but maybe it’s for her own benefit. Is she so desperate for friendship that she’d try to stop me leaving? I disregard the thought – there are other more interesting people she could befriend; I’m flattering myself.

‘Ready?’

We all start at the sound of Richard’s deep voice behind us.

‘Something I said? You all look as though you’ve seen a ghost.’ The look of concern that flashes across Richard’s face sends us all into a fit of the giggles.

‘No, love. Nothing for you to worry about. Let’s go.’

As we step outside, I link my arm in his and proudly walk towards his car. I actually want Davina to see this. I want her to know how wonderful my life is at this moment and that nothing anyone does can change that.

Let them all try to sabotage my house sale. It isn’t going to stop me being happy with Richard.

Nothing will.

Chapter Forty-Two