Another silence hangs between us for a moment. Cars drive past us, still coming and going. It’s started raining again, cold drops stinging my cheeks.

‘Let’s say I believe you,’ Kate says with a faint sneer. ‘Let’s say I can just about manage to swallow that it was pure coincidence you happened to be outside Bella’s school, after asking strange questions about her the other night.’

‘Strange que—?’

‘Because it’s the next part that has me puzzled.’

‘The next part?’ I frown as though confused, even though I know just what she’s going to say.

‘Yes. The part where you mentioned her dad. My husband Shaun. The part where you mention to Bella that you knew about her dad coming home?’

‘I…’

‘You?’

I don’t know how to answer. So I go for a version of the truth – the same half-truth I told Matt. ‘A post popped up on my Facebook page.’

Kate’s shaking her head now and I know she’s not going to buy it. ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

I continue on regardless. ‘I can’t remember what the post was about, but someone commented about Shaun getting out, so I just assumed. I didn’t mention anything about prison to Bella. I just said that it must be nice to have her dad home. That’s all. Nothing untoward.’

‘Bullshit.’

‘I’m sorry?’ I’m taken aback by her sudden fury.

‘I said, bullshit. That post didn’t magically pop up. You went looking for it. There’s something very wrong with you, Rachel. You’ve been creeping around my family ever since we met. I have no idea why, and I’d be grateful if you didn’t talk to my daughter again. In fact, I’d rather you stayed away from all my children.’

I knew Kate wouldn’t be happy about me talking to Bella, but all these vile things she’s saying about me are making me bristle with anger. Now would be the perfect time for me to come back with my suspicions about her. She’s acting all holier than thou, like I’m the one in the wrong when she’s the wrong-doer. The evil-doer. Actually, I wouldn’t have expected anything else from her. When a person knows they’re in the wrong, or they’re cornered, they often act as the aggressor. Trying to deflect the blame. To make out that they’re the injured party. I won’t let her pressure me into showing my hand too soon. I won’t let her rile me up so I say something I may regret. I need to remain calm. To get proof before Kate has a chance to up sticks and disappear with Bella for good. So I need to act fast. At least Kate didn’t mention anything about me going into their flat to use the bathroom. Maybe Bella forgot to mention that part.