‘Very funny,’ I say, rolling my eyes. It’s a running joke between me and my sister that I’m not really suited to country pursuits.

‘I will,’ says Connor, squeezing my hand under the table. ‘Though my mum has rather erratic working hours so it’s tricky to nail her down for a visit. But we’ll definitely do it soon.’

He squeezes my hand again and I feel a flutter through my body, like a surge of electricity.

‘Ooh,’ says Georgie. ‘Look at all those bags. What have you been buying, Nessa?’

I tell her about the presentation and how Connor had advised me to buy a few statement pieces.

‘Alleluia, thank you, Connor,’ says Georgie, rolling her eyes. ‘I’ve been trying to get this one to give up her disposable fashion habit for years. Let’s see what you’ve got then.’

I take out the main outfit. It’s a simple shift dress made of pale-blue silk. When I’d tried it on it fitted me like a second skin. The price tag made me wince but, as Connor said, it will last me for years.

‘That is beautiful,’ says Georgie, reaching out to touch the fabric. ‘And so right for the presentation.’

I put the dress back into the bag just as the food arrives and as we sit and eat, Georgie filling in Connor on the details of the Rego exhibition, I feel a deep sense of contentment. After Georgie excuses herself to go to the bathroom my phone vibrates in my pocket. I take it out and see Georgie’s name on the screen.

He’s a keeper. I’m so happy for you, darling.

And in that moment I decide to stop feeling bad about Lottie. Connor is my best friend now and I’m not going to lose him.

9. Now

‘DS Bains,’ says Frank Solomon, clasping his hands together. ‘You have to make a decision. Charge my client or let her go.’

Bains leans back in his chair, his eyes still on me, silent. He is waiting for me to snap again, to say something I will regret, but I’m not going to give him the satisfaction.

‘That will be all for now, Miss Adams,’ he says eventually. ‘Though we may need to speak to you again should more evidence come to light. Which it will.’

I feel light-headed as I get up from the table. I can sense Bains’s eyes on me as Frank Solomon guides me out of the room.

Once I have been signed out I take my phone and call Georgie.

‘Hello,’ she says, answering at the second ring. ‘Vanessa? What’s happened?’

‘Can you come and get me, Georgie?’ I say, trying to suppress my emotions. ‘They’ve finished questioning me but the tube has stopped for the night.’

‘I’ll be right there, darling,’ says Georgie. ‘Stay inside the police station, okay?’

‘Okay,’ I say. ‘See you in a bit.’