‘I can’t promise I’m going to be OK with this going forward,’ April warned, ‘but I care about you Faith. I don’t want to argue.’

‘Then learn to bite your tongue,’ Faith suggested.

Tara laughed, breaking the tension. ‘Like you do?’

Faith smiled. ‘Come what may, I think we all have a great year to look forward to.’

Tara noticed April wince. ‘Isn’t it Jason’s anniversary soon?’

‘The beginning of February.’

‘Then we need to be there for you,’ Faith said. ‘And for goodness’ sake, stop worrying about me. Let me be happy, with Nick.’

To his credit, Nick blushed. ‘I appreciate you have no reason to take my word for anything,’ he added, ‘but I promise you I want only what’s best for Faith.’

‘We all do,’ April said, hoping Faith would open her arms as she stepped forward. She did, and they hugged fiercely.

‘Why don’t you two come over for a girls’ night?’ Faith asked. ‘How about this coming Saturday?’ She turned to Nick and added, ‘You can make yourself scarce, can’t you?’

‘I’ll be working anyway,’ he replied. ‘I won’t be home until the early hours.’

‘Perfect. Is that a date?’ she asked her friends.

April had to take a moment. After dating for barely a month, Nick was calling Faith’s house his home. How could they all pretend to be comfortable with that? How could they not be worried? April would be happy never to see Nick again, but if tonight had proven one thing, it was that they needed to keep him in their sights.

‘I wouldn’t miss it,’ she replied.

22

The mounting pressure in the group had found a temporary release during the last meeting, but the underlying cause was unresolved as far as Tara was concerned. Her friendship with Faith was being tested and she was grateful for April’s offer to pick her up en route to Faith’s on Saturday evening.

‘I wasn’t looking forward to arriving on my own,’ Tara said, gathering up the folds of her black satin skirt so she could close the car door.

‘Me neither,’ said April as she drove out of Pepper Street. ‘I have this image of Nick wearing a smoking jacket as he welcomes us into his home.’

‘It does feel odd, doesn’t it?’

‘Very.’

As they drove past the village hall with its lightless windows, Tara said, ‘I’ve known Faith for over three years and compared to anyone else in the group, her life has been the most constant and predictable. She was heartbroken over Derek’s death, but she had embraced her new life.’

‘I’ve never met anyone more self-assured and proud of their independence. That’s why I wanted to be more like her.’

Tara smiled. ‘Judging by your performance the other day, I’d say your mission is complete.’