I went on your website and saw that someone had left an arsey message about the way you handled one of your cases. I bigged up the point and wrote a letter of complaint to the Law Society. I’ve read their procedures online and know which buttons to press. They will inspect you, no doubt, very soon. And with a stroke of luck they will discover you’ve made a mistake, and strike you off as a solicitor. When you don’t have your career to hide behind, Miles will find out your true worth.

107

Saffron

I’m turning over a new leaf, Caprice. I’m going to treat you better. I’m going to take a considerable interest in cooking, for as long as you live with us. I’m going to make all your favourite things. Healthy soups and meaty casseroles. I will even use the Kenwood mixer you gave me for Christmas. Put it to good use. I will make lemon meringue pie. Macaroons. Chocolate brownies. Taking control of your diet, for your and my greater good.

108

Hayley

I watch Saffron playing Monopoly with her children and sigh inside with relief that my complaint to Social Care fell on deaf ears. To be bruised like that the boys must have had a fight when no one was looking. Saffron would never hurt them. Saffron would never hurt anyone. She is kindness itself.

The Monopoly game is coming to an end. Harry seems to own a raft of hotels at the expensive end of the board. Ben looks glum. He is already bankrupt. Saffron lands on Mayfair.

‘OK. You win,’ she says, throwing the last of her money across to Harry. Harry jumps up and down, smiling and gloating.

Saffron stands up. ‘Hayley, do you have time to come and help me check the food for tonight?’

‘Of course.’

We step through the shiny kitchen into the shiny back utility room, paved in thousands of pounds’ worth of granite and travertine. She opens the larder fridge and pulls out a large plastic container and a smaller one, marked Caprice.

‘This is the coq au vin that I made last night. The large one is for all of you. The small one is for Caprice. Make sure you give it to her. I’m cooking separately for her right now because I think she is gluten sensitive. Her portion isn’t thickened with flour. She doesn’t like talking about it but I think she’s having digestive issues.’

‘That’s fine. Where are you going tonight?’

‘I’ve got to go and schmooze with a prospective new client. He’s a media mogul.’

‘On another superyacht?’

‘No such luck. It’s a plastic hotel at Chelsea Harbour. You know the sort of thing: glass and mirrors and air conditioning. Pallid tasteful colours and superficial artwork.’