We weave in between the dunes onto the wet sand of the beach. The sea is pale blue with white horses on this bitterly cold but bright October day. The sky above is like a mirror. The horizon a grey line in the distance.

‘A walk on the beach always blows the cobwebs away. And we have some cobwebs we need to attend to.’ Her voice sounds stern and harsh. ‘At least the wind is behind us now, so we can have a decent chat,’ she continues.

‘I didn’t know you had a new man,’ I start.

‘Nice-looking, isn’t he?’

I nod.

‘Was he the problem between you and Aiden?’ I ask.

‘Oh no. Conrad is recent. I only met him a few months ago.’

I take a deep breath and swallow. ‘And are you only interested in Conrad? Or is there something going on between you and Miles?’

She splutters. ‘I told you in the office there’s nothing going on.’ She pauses. ‘What’s the matter? I’m so worried about you. Where on earth is all this coming from? Why are you even asking me this?’

I feel my eyes filling with tears. ‘It’s Caprice and Aiden. They say you and Miles were in love and that you still are.’

We stop walking. Julie stands looking at me, wide-eyed. For a moment I think she’s about to confess, but then she shakes her head and bursts out laughing. ‘That’s ridiculous.’ She puts her hands on my shoulders. ‘Miles and I have been just friends for years. Even before we technically split up. Even then it was friendship rather than passion. Whatever nonsense they are making up is a complete lie.’

‘But … but … why would they do that?’ I ask, wanting to believe her but finding it hard. ‘And why would both of them – quite independently – say the same thing?’

She shrugs. ‘It’s beyond me. But then again some people are very poor at understanding platonic friendships between men and women. And Aiden might want to get back at me after our divorce.’

We continue our stroll.

‘I promise you, nothing is going on.’

‘Then why are you texting each other?’

‘I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.’

‘It’s certainly a surprise that you are texting each other like a pair of adulterers. What am I supposed to think?’

‘That is insulting, Saffron. You need to trust us. What is a relationship if it isn’t based on trust?’

‘I’ve been watching The Crown on Netflix. I expect Prince Charles tried to keep Diana quiet by making statements like that, too.’

Julie puts her hand on my arm. We stop walking again, and stand, eyes locked. ‘Why are you so worried?’ she asks. ‘We’ve been friends for years. And you have been with Miles all that time. Why can’t you trust us?’