‘It’s going to make life so much easier for you,’ Tara said, recalling Faith’s concerns. Justine liked to project an image of being in control, but life would have become more complicated since her eldest daughter started secondary school. Tara and Iain would have the same issue next year when Molly graduated, but these were tangible problems that required practical solutions. It was nothing compared to the issue at hand.

‘It gives me a bit more time, but I do need to set off in ten minutes,’ Justine warned.

‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be adding to your stress.’

‘It sounded urgent.’

Tara glanced at the group of mothers who had slipped into the shop behind Justine and were placing orders with Michelle. ‘Come through to the back. I’ll be as quick as I can,’ she said as she pulled out her phone and opened up the link April had sent earlier. Safely ensconced in the kitchen, she turned the screen towards Justine. ‘Do you recognise this woman?’

‘Should I?’

‘Did Nick ever show you a photo of his girlfriend?’

‘Yes, he did,’ Justine said, taking the phone from Tara. Skimming through the online photos, she added, ‘That does look like her but oh …’ Her eyes widened. ‘Oh, my goodness. This is Nick’s Erin?’

‘We think so.’

‘We?’ Justine asked without looking up. She was devouring the information onscreen.

‘April found the site. She was worried about Faith.’

‘What does Faith have to do with any of this?’

Tara steeled herself. She didn’t want to pass on information that Faith had yet to share directly with her, but what choice did she have? ‘She and Nick have gone on holiday together.’

Justine pulled her gaze from the screen. ‘Together together?’

Tara nodded as she took back her phone. ‘According to this site, Erin’s husband was with her to the end. There’s no mention of Nick anywhere.’

‘But he told me about the conversations they’d had when she knew she was dying. It doesn’t make sense.’

Fear pulled taut every nerve in Tara’s body, making her shoulders hunch. ‘Nick’s been lying to us,’ she said. ‘It’s the only explanation.’

‘But why would he do that?’

‘That’s what I intend to find out.’

‘No,’ Justine said. ‘I accepted him into the group. I should be the one to speak to him.’

‘This isn’t your fault, it’s mine,’ admitted Tara. ‘We wouldn’t be in this mess if I’d listened to you about checking members’ backgrounds.’

‘If this is anyone’s fault, it’s Nick’s,’ Justine countered. ‘How about we speak to him together?’

‘Sure,’ replied Tara, grateful for her friend’s support. ‘And I think it would be safest if we meet here, in a public place.’

‘Should we be that concerned? I can’t imagine him turning nasty.’