‘Get what?’ She had been too concerned about Josh to give a thought to Nick.

April kept her voice low when she said, ‘Think back to what Nick told us about his relationship with Erin. They were involved and then she found out she had cancer. He took a step back while she had treatment, and their alleged affair only resumed when they realised there wasn’t much time left. Does that sound about right?’

‘Well, yes, but …’ Tara felt a rush of horror as she realised the implications. ‘That would mean Erin was involved with Nick before she had even met Josh.’

‘So why did Nick take a step back if there was no husband standing in his way? And why did Erin find someone else if Nick was her one true love? With only months left to live, Erin chose to marry Josh. He was the one she wanted to be with, not Nick. There was no extramarital affair, Tara. There was barely a relationship.’

‘Or none at all,’ Tara replied, her voice hollow. ‘Nick could be lying about everything.’

‘No, the best liars start with a grain of truth,’ April said, glancing at the photo of Erin again. ‘I haven’t come across that particular image online, so I’m guessing the reason Nick had it was because he took it. It’s entirely possible he was her boyfriend back then.’

‘But not the kind of boyfriend she wanted around while she battled her illness.’

April rubbed her arms as if she too felt the unease that made Tara’s skin crawl. ‘It’s hardly the tragic love story Nick would have us believe, is it?’

‘If Nick is nothing more than an ex-boyfriend, why did he join the group? What does he want from us, April? Is he some kind of sick grief tourist?’

Before she could respond, the guests were asked to make their way to the dining room. There were at least twenty round tables, and Tara found some momentary relief from troubled thoughts as she searched for their seats. She was only vaguely aware that April had wandered off.

‘We’re over here,’ Tara called to her, pulling out a chair.

April pretended not to hear as she circled the neighbouring table, scrutinising name cards as she went. People were taking their seats and there was one woman in particular who had caught April’s attention. She was in her forties with dark brown hair cut into a severe bob that framed her angular features. Her eyes were a striking shade of blue not dissimilar to Nick’s.

‘That’s Olivia Malford,’ April said when she returned. ‘Don’t you think there’s a family resemblance? Could she be Nick’s sister?’