If Amelia had been one of his victims, Molly knew she’d never have told anyone. She’d certainly never have gone to the police to expose herself as such a fool. She’d have paid up and shut up.

Molly put her mug down and dragged a smile into place. ‘Tears come easily these days. I’ve an appointment myself at one,’ she added, looking at her watch. ‘I’d better go and get ready.’

‘You look worn out,’ Amelia said, ‘you should get a taxi to wherever you’re going.’

‘No, I’ll be fine. I’m meeting a friend in Casper’s, it’s only a few minutes’ walk from Victoria station. A taxi would take forever.’ She stood and gathered the mugs, hoping Amelia would take the hint. It would be a relief when she was gone. Molly was probably being ridiculous, but the life she had considered as mundane, almost boring, had become a crazy rollercoaster that sent her thoughts churning. Apart from Freya and Remi, who thank goodness, were away from it all, there appeared to be nothing solid, nothing reliable left in her life.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Maybe the sudden inexplicable suspicion of her friend was crazy but when was it that she’d started worrying about Jack? Wasn’t it around the time that Amelia and Tristan had come back to London?

‘Okay,’ Amelia’s voice interrupted Molly’s thoughts, ‘I’ll head off.’ She looked at Molly with concern in her eyes. ‘You should try to get some rest when you get back, you look shattered.’

‘Always good to know,’ she said with an attempt at humour. ‘I’ll try to sleep later.’

Amelia put an arm around her, gave her a quick hug and picked up her coat and bag. ‘Why don’t we meet later for a glass of wine in O’Dea’s? Maybe around six?’

O’Dea’s? Why not? She could text Jack and get him to meet her there. ‘Good idea.’

‘Great, I’ll let myself out.’

There was a sharp clip-clip as Amelia’s stilettos crossed the wooden floor of the hall but it wasn’t until Molly heard the front door shut that she let out the breath she’d been holding and stumbled to the sofa where she sat and shut her eyes. It was over an hour before she moved. She didn’t want to meet Stuart. Any more complications and her brain might explode. But maybe, whatever it was he wanted to tell her, would clarify whatever was going on in Jack’s life. If she could be convinced all his problems were work-related and nothing to do with a woman, she might be able to think straight.

On that slim hope, she stood. She’d enough time to have a quick shower and dress.