The idea of Nick living with her had come about one drunken evening in Las Vegas when he made a comment about going back to an empty flat that had never felt like home. Apparently, he had taken out the lease without much thought, explaining that he had no enthusiasm for spending his hard-earned money on himself and had reinvested everything in his business, which was expanding at a rate of knots. Now the foundations were established, he wanted someone to share in his success, hence the holiday, and it didn’t have to end there. He had been the one to make a tentative suggestion about moving in, but Faith would like to think she had led him to that conclusion. And naturally, she had added conditions to their arrangement.

‘You’re staying,’ Faith said. ‘And if anyone asks, you can show them your rent book. You’re my lodger, that’s all.’

‘That’s all?’ he asked. They locked eyes and his expression became serious. ‘I can’t believe this is happening.’

‘Do you need a cooling off period?’

‘It’s too late. I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve fallen madly and deeply in love with you, Faith.’

The declaration of love took Faith by surprise and, instinctively, she moved her body a fraction away from his. She liked Nick. He was kind, generous, and he was good company. Together they made the perfect partnership and that was why she was doing what she was doing. Love was a different game entirely. It meant giving up something of herself, and she couldn’t do that.

‘I’d better text Justine,’ Nick said when he received no response.

Faith sipped her coffee as Nick sent the message. He was about to say something else when Justine pinged a reply.

‘That was quick,’ remarked Faith, her jaw tightening.

‘I’m meeting her at two.’

‘No, we’re meeting her at two,’ Faith corrected. When Nick gave her a puzzled look, she added, ‘You’re going to need backup.’

‘Why?’ Reading her thoughts, he added, ‘Do you think they know what I did?’

‘There’s only one way to find out.’

When Faith and Nick arrived at Tee’s Cakes, Michelle and another girl were behind the counter. It was busy and all of the tables were occupied by customers apart from the booth in the furthest corner that had been reserved for support group business. Tara sat with her back to the door, so Justine spotted their arrival first. Her paling expression made Tara look over her shoulder. Clearly, she hadn’t expected to see Faith, and the smile she offered was tight. She looked tired and a little worn around the edges.

‘I’ve been trying to get hold of you,’ Tara said, standing up to give Faith a hug. ‘We need to talk.’

‘Well, I’m here now.’