I sip my tea. ‘You said you used to come on holiday here. It seems like quite a drastic change to move to a place after only a couple of visits.’ I’m aware that my questioning is becoming a little intense, but I can’t seem to stop myself. Ever since I clapped eyes on Bella, I’ve had this buzzing in my head telling me something’s not right. Call it a mother’s intuition or a gut feeling, but I feel as if I have no choice but to act on my instincts. I actually want to grab Kate’s collar and shake the truth out of her. I put my tea down and shove my hands between my thighs to keep them trapped. If Kate really did snatch my daughter then it surely can’t be a coincidence that she’s here, now, in Wareham. She must have sought me out on purpose. But why? It makes no sense. If she took my child, surely she would want to get as far away from me as possible, so there’s no danger of her being discovered. Unless she’s playing some twisted game. Or this really is a crazy, huge coincidence, and Kate has no idea who I am.

She shifts in her seat. Is she feeling uncomfortable because she knows I’m onto her? Or is it because I’m going a little overboard with my questioning. ‘I guess moving here was a little drastic, but it’s good to shake things up a bit every once in a while, wouldn’t you agree?’

I pick up my tea again and move my head from side to side non-committally. ‘I’m afraid I’m not one for shaking things up. I prefer a quiet life. I think Dorset living must have rubbed off on me.’

‘Maybe it will rub off on us too, and we can finally feel settled. As long as our kids are happy, we’ll be happy.’

I want to ask, but are they really your kids? Of course, I don’t say anything of the kind. I keep all my fears and suspicions to myself. But having her here is affecting me more than I thought it would. I thought I’d be able to play a part and act normally. Instead I feel like screaming and accusing. It’s as if I’ve got ants in my brain, crawling around and itching my scalp from the inside. Did this woman steal my daughter?

It’s no good. I have to excuse myself before I say something I shouldn’t. ‘Just nipping to the loo. Won’t be a minute.’

Kate nods.