“Lauren.” Izzy rushed forwards, taking Lauren’s hand, shaking it hard. Lauren smiled as she wondered if her shoulder would dislocate. “It’s so nice to meet you in person.”

“Thank you for having me. I know it was short notice. Am I late?”

“We’re just getting started. You know Fiona and Olivia from Facebook, right? Right, let’s get on with it.”

Lauren sat and took the book from her handbag. She’d ordered it for next-day delivery, but the other three had Kindles.

“A purist, I see,” Izzy joked.

Lauren chuckled. “Guilty as charged.”

“I used to be,” Olivia said. “As a librarian, I considered it my duty. But my eyes… you can’t change font size in a paperback.”

“I consider all kinds of reading valid,” Lauren said.

“Ah, a politician,” Izzy replied.

“Hardly. I wish I made as much as one though.”

Lauren waited to see if they’d take the bait. She had a plan. She wasn’t sure if it was a good one, but she wanted to try; anyway, she was feeling impatient.

“Unfortunately, teaching assistants don’t get the same benefits as MPs.”

“Where to do you teach?” Fiona asked.

Lauren gave the name of the school, watching for their reactions. There was something: a general tightening of their expressions. “I like it,” she went on. “I feel lucky to be able to work most days. A lot of people are with agencies, being carted from school to school. I mostly work with one teacher, history, which is a dream: the subject, not the teacher.”

“What’s his name?” Fiona said.

She seemed like the most interested, staring at Lauren as though starved for gossip.

“Scott,” Lauren said.

“Scott…”

“Smith.” Lauren shrugged, feigning confusion when Fiona’s eyebrows shot up. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

“He was the one who missed something.” Fiona’s words rushed out. “He missed the chance to mourn for his wife. He missed the chance to be a good husband. Natalie was so… and he just moved on, but that’s men, that’s men. My own was the same. Cheating bastard. I bet Scott was cheating too. I bet he was with Casey before she– Poor girl, poor Natalie. I wish she’d spoken to us…”

It was like she was trying to break the world record for speaking quickly. Lauren had to concentrate so she didn’t miss anything. “I don’t understand.”

“There’s some history there,” Olivia said quietly.

“Yes, there is.” Izzy glared at Fiona. “But I don’t think it’s our place to say.”

“I bet Scott’s regretting his decision now.” Fiona laughed darkly.

“Wait a second.” Lauren was playing the ditsy blonde, all wide-eyed and confused. “Are you telling me you know Scott?”

“We knew his wife. Both his wives.” Fiona frowned. “God, I still can’t believe they got married.”

“You said he regretted it,” Lauren murmured. “He seems pretty happy to me.”

“Give it time. Just ask her last–”

“All right, class, gossiping time’s over.” Izzy laughed, but there was an edge to it. “I’ve been looking forward to this all month. Let’s not ruin it with that rubbish. Shall we get started?”