‘You want me to ask her to spy on him?’

Molly had forgotten Petra’s liking for drama and intrigue, and immediately regretted having asked. But it wasn’t the kind of thing you could step back from. ‘Spy is a little OTT,’ she said calmly. ‘I see it more as looking out for my husband’s welfare, the same as I’d look out for yours if the situation were reversed.’

‘Gosh, yes,’ Petra rushed to comment. ‘I know you would, Mol. We women have to stick together after all.’

Putting her hand over the mouthpiece, Molly let out a whoosh of relief, not really listening as her friend rambled on about women’s solidarity. ‘Thanks,’ she said, when there was a pause, ‘yes, it’s the only way, isn’t it?’

‘Absolutely. You leave it with me.’ Petra’s voice held the fervour of one on a mission. ‘I’ll give Nicole a shout tomorrow and ask to meet her for coffee, it will be easier to pump her for info face to face.’

Petra might be a bit of a drama queen, but she was also an astute woman. If there was anything to know, she’d find out.

A few minutes later, Molly said goodbye, dropped the phone on the sofa beside her and sat back, resting her head on the cushion behind. She wanted it to be trouble at work, however difficult that might be, because the alternative didn’t bear thinking about.

She reached a hand up, her fingers lingering on the fine lines she knew had appeared around her eyes. An affair with Amelia, bad as that would be, wouldn’t be a risk to her marriage. Amelia wasn’t looking for something permanent after all, but if he’d found someone younger, prettier. Someone in Vegas perhaps?

With difficulty, Molly put the idea to the back of her mind and picked up her phone. Despite being asked to contact her every day, there were no messages from either Freya or Remi. They’d plead their case with excuses of being too busy, too exhausted, too something rather than the truth that they’d not thought about her. If they were in trouble, she’d hear about it fast enough. She’d no real worries, they were good kids, but she wished they’d at least send a message. The apron strings still tugged, she didn’t let them hurt, but they did irritate at times.