Up ahead, I’m shocked by how much the river has swollen since I last saw it a few days ago. It’s spilling over its banks and into the car park and has even started lapping over the causeway. A car drives across too fast, spraying two huge arcs of water, like liquid wings. The driver and passenger are a young couple, and through the windscreen I can see they’re laughing their heads off. I’m letting other things distract me, I need to press on.

I glance around, looking for Kate, but I don’t see her. She didn’t specify exactly where to meet, but I’m sure she can’t be too far away. I have the sudden, terrifying thought that she might have brought Shaun with her. What will I do if it’s both of them together? I don’t think I’m feeling brave enough to face the two of them on my own.

Then I spot Kate’s Fiat parked at the furthest edge of the car park, away from the river. I exhale in relief – it looks like the passenger side is empty. There are several wooden benches dotted about by the river, but they’re all damp. Anyway, this doesn’t feel like a sitting down and chatting occasion.

Crossing the car park, I try to breathe normally as I skirt around several huge puddles and weave through the parked cars. As I approach, Kate’s car door opens. She steps out and heads my way without giving me any eye contact whatsoever until we’re almost face to face. And then she looks at me with an expression somewhere between distaste and anger. It’s a look that makes me physically recoil.

I should probably say hello, but I can’t seem to find my voice. So we stand facing each other for a moment that feels like forever. Eventually she breaks the silence.

‘Rachel, I’ll make this quick because it’s school pick-up soon. I need you to tell me why you met my eldest daughter after school.’

‘Why I… Sorry, what?’ This isn’t good. Bella must have spoken to her. Of course, I knew she would. She thinks Kate is her mum.

‘Yesterday,’ Kate says carefully. ‘You met Bella after school. Why exactly did you do that?’ Her brown eyes bore into mine.

‘I didn’t meet her. We bumped into her and she got talking to Jess.’

‘And you gave her a lift home?’

‘Yes. It was pouring. A proper storm. We were all soaked through.’ I’m trying to make my voice sound light, but I know I’m coming across as defensive. ‘Jess suggested we give Bella a lift home. I’m sure you’d have done the same for one of my children if you saw them walking home in the pouring rain. I didn’t realise that was the wrong thing to do. If it was, I apologise.’