‘Nick deserved it. He’s never had to face the consequences of what he did,’ April said, taking a bend a little too fast. As she overcorrected, Tara’s shoulder thumped against the passenger door. ‘Sorry.’

When the car slowed to within the speed limit, Tara said, ‘We can at least rest assured that he’ll pay for his mistakes if he dares hurt Faith. I know he’s moved in with indecent haste, but Faith would kick him out just as quickly if she had to.’

‘Hmm,’ April said, not filling Tara with hope. ‘But what damage could he do in the meantime? Maybe I’m being cynical, but we went snooping into Nick’s past for a reason. Something still doesn’t feel right.’

Not wanting to feed each other’s fears, they fell silent and Tara spoke only to give April directions to Woolton. There were no easy solutions, or at least none that would be met without resistance. Faith had been aware of Nick’s past long before April and Tara made their discovery, and she had reached her own conclusions. She would have cross-examined Nick over every detail before allowing him to take up residence in her home. Faith wasn’t stupid.

‘Wow, I gathered Faith had a nice place, but this is something else,’ April said as they pulled up outside a large detached house set on a rising slope and surrounded by mature hedgerows and trees. The gated entrance was peppered with spotlights that highlighted the white stucco and black fascia to show off the house to its best advantage. Tara had visited before, but it never failed to impress.

‘Maybe you should park away from the gate,’ Tara said, having spotted Nick’s BMW on the drive.

They took their time getting out of the car and wasted a few more seconds on the doorstep, straightening their clothes in the reflection of the black glossed door before Tara rang the bell. As April had foretold, Nick was the one to greet them, although he was wearing a white shirt rather than a smoking jacket.

‘Come in, make yourselves at home. Faith’s upstairs, but she won’t be long.’

Nick took their coats and ushered them towards the tantalising aroma of garlic and herbs. Tara wasn’t sure what she had expected, but the kitchen appeared unaffected by the addition of Nick to the household. The oak benches and breakfast table that claimed the kitchen nook looked cosy and inviting, with flickering candles and plump scatter cushions.

Seeing the bottle of wine in a cooler on the table, Tara said, ‘We can look after ourselves if you’re busy?’

Nick cast a glance at his socked feet. ‘Actually, I was in the middle of getting ready. I’ll be out of your hair in five minutes.’

‘And then we can talk about you to our hearts’ content,’ Faith said.