‘Rupert on the rebound, do you think? Or maybe she’s just after the money. Caro left him at least a couple of mill, I’m sure.’ A spritz, and then a sickly-sweet perfume wafts on the air, catching in the back of my throat. BITCH. The word floats through my mind and I have to bite down on my tongue, to tamp down the fury that rises as I listen to the women tear me apart just feet away.

‘Of course, Rupert is very attractive. He was bound to move on sooner rather than later. Although he was devastated at what happened with Caro. I was at the party that night, you know.’

I hear a gasp of delicious shock from the other woman, and I shift slightly, my nerve endings singing. The party. Someone else had made mention of a party just before Caro died. I lean forward as far as I dare, trying to hear what they say next.

‘Really? What happened? Can you tell me?’

‘Well, they had a blazing row, right there in front of us all. And then Caro stormed out. We got the call a few days later to say that she was gone.’

‘Oh gosh. Do you think…?’

‘Ladies.’ A new voice butts in, and this time I am sure it is Sadie. A flutter of nerves stirs in my belly as I wait to hear what Sadie will say. Will she let slip anything about the party? Or will she join in their spiteful bitching about me? I almost feel sick, waiting. ‘Even if Emily is after Rupert’s money, is it any business of yours? And how dare you gossip about Caro? You’re supposed to be friends of Rupert. I strongly suggest you watch what you’re saying, seeing as you’re enjoying a night out on his dime.’ There is a pause, footsteps as the bitchy women hurry outside, and then a tap on the cubicle door. ‘Emily? It’s OK, darling, you can come out now.’

I wipe my face with a piece of toilet tissue and slide the door open, peering out cautiously. ‘Well, that was refreshing.’ I try to laugh, but as I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror, the mascara that smudges under my eyes, I want to cry.

‘Oh, ignore them. They weren’t anyone who matters, trust me. They’re just jealous that you snagged Rupert and not them.’ Sadie gives a brittle smile before turning to the mirror and swiping more bright red lipstick over her mouth. ‘Are you OK? That wasn’t the song you chose earlier, was it?’ My eyes meet Sadie’s in the mirror, and any chance I had of asking her about Caro and the night of the party slips away. ‘What happened?’