The taut muscles in April’s arms and shoulders began to tremble at the sound of Faith’s gentle words. This was the friend who had raced through rain and rush-hour traffic to be by her side on the second worst day of April’s life. She didn’t want to lose her, but she wasn’t sure she could stomach hearing her friend defend Nick.

‘We’re due to start in five minutes,’ Justine said, ‘but we can put it back if you need more time?’

‘I don’t know that I have anything to say,’ April replied. She was yet to look at Nick, who was standing behind Faith’s shoulder. She had tried to picture this moment, but each and every time, Nick’s face had morphed into Jason’s.

‘Why don’t you try?’ Faith said.

When April shook her head, Nick said, ‘The last thing I want to do is upset you, April. I know you don’t think I belong here, and there have been times when I’ve felt like a fraud too, but my relationship with Erin was complex. It wasn’t a fling. Our circumstances were very different to what happened with your husband.’

‘You told him?’ April asked Faith.

‘He needed to know.’

Finally, April looked to Nick. ‘And what about Erin’s husband? Does he need to know about you? Shouldn’t he be here in your stead?’

‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘And if I’d known how much this would hurt you, I’d never have joined.’ To Faith he added, ‘It was a mistake coming. I should go.’

Neither Faith nor Nick had taken off their coats, and Nick could simply turn and walk out the door. But if he left, Faith would follow, and April didn’t want that.

‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘You came here to explain yourself, so let’s hear it.’

Not wanting to let Nick off with a private confession, April turned her back and went to join the group. Most of the others had taken their seats, but thankfully Iain had saved a couple for her and Tara. Faith, Nick and Justine had to settle for being scattered amongst the others.

When Tara opened the meeting, there was only one topic on the agenda.

‘There’s an important matter we need to discuss tonight,’ she began. ‘Justine and I have become aware of an issue with one of our members that some of you might find challenging.’

There was a wave of restlessness and chairs squeaked as members scanned the faces that made up the circle. Faith stared straight ahead, and Nick, a few seats further along, kept his gaze to the floor.