I push it all to the back of my mind for the flight back, but as we make our approach into Gatwick two hours later, I think of the hold Andrew has over me. Am I really so different from Stephanie? Playing along with Andrew’s game for my own reasons, instead of exposing what he’s doing to me and letting the truth come out? But as the aircraft wheels touch down, I realise I’m not like Stephanie. She isn’t weak. After the funeral, she’s leaving.

I make a promise to myself that one day, in the not-so-distant future, I’ll find a way to do the same.

After we taxi in and park on our stand, the return passengers start to disembark and my eyes fix on a man speaking angrily to his wife. Instead of looking upset or anxious, she humours him, touching his arm with affection. I watch his anger evaporate; his quiet laugh, the way he kisses her cheek. It’s a brief moment that reminds me of everything that’s wrong in my marriage; that happy relationships do exist.

While I drive home, I feel uncertainty escalating around me. I need to get the funeral out of the way, I remind myself. Then, at the first opportunity, I’ll talk to the police. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my mind. But it’s as though unstoppable change is all around me.

*

The feeling is heightened that afternoon when I drive into Chichester for an appointment; and again, later, when I’m back home switching on the radio and turning the music up. Out of character for me, I open a bottle of Prosecco and pour myself a large glass. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. There’s no reason why I should, when the world around me is increasingly unpredictable.

Finishing the glass, I pour another as an upbeat track comes on the radio. Caught in a moment of recklessness, I start to dance uninhibitedly – because no-one’s watching and because I feel like it. It isn’t until the track comes to an end that I hear the knock at the door.

Catching my breath, I smooth my hair behind my ears before opening it to find Sergeant Collins and DS May standing there.

‘Mrs Buckley? I hope we’re not disturbing you. Would you mind if we came in for a moment?’ Their faces are impassive. If they saw me dancing through the window, it doesn’t show.

Standing back, I open the door wider. ‘Of course not.’ The cloud of uncertainty I briefly danced away is back again. ‘Come through.’

They follow me inside, hovering until I gesture towards the table. ‘Would you like to sit down?’

DS May nods. ‘Thank you.’

I watch her eyes glance around the kitchen, taking in my half-drunk glass, then glancing at the clock, before sitting at the table.