There was an awkward moment where neither knew what to do. They were talking through a tiny gap in the window and with the engine switched off, April couldn’t lower it further. Seeing that Ella wasn’t ready to continue on her way, April got out of the car and joined her on the pavement.

‘How is she?’ asked April.

‘In a foul mood.’

‘She’s been through a lot.’

‘So she keeps reminding me,’ Ella said. ‘I want to feel sorry for her, really I do, but I can’t help thinking this mess is of her own creation. You would think age and experience would have hardened her.’

A chill breeze bit at April’s neck and she wrapped her jacket around her. ‘I’d say it had.’

‘But it should never have come to this. I don’t understand why she didn’t see through this man straight away.’

‘We did try to warn her.’

‘But she wouldn’t listen,’ Ella finished for her. She shook her head. ‘It was the same with Dad. Why does she fall for such utter bastards?’

‘Your dad wasn’t a bastard though,’ April said with a nervous laugh, assuming she had misconstrued Ella’s meaning.

‘She didn’t talk about him? I thought your group shared everything,’ Ella said, but she could see from April’s expression that she was wrong. ’Of course she didn’t tell you. Faith won’t admit to anyone what Dad was really like. It’s probably why she’s just kicked off. She hadn’t realised the police would want a statement from me, and I’m guessing my recollection of their marriage isn’t the same as the one she gave them.’

‘We all want to help her, but if she isn’t being honest with herself, how can anyone else believe what she says?’ April said.

Ella looked back to the house before meeting April’s eye again. ‘You’re a good friend, right?’

‘I’m trying to be,’ April admitted. ‘Help me understand, Ella. What was your dad really like?’

‘Ruthless,’ Ella said simply. ‘When he grew tired of Mum, he planned his escape meticulously so he could screw her over. He claimed the business was failing, and lo and behold, when it came to calculating the divorce settlement, his company was pretty much worthless – on paper. An accountancy sleight of hand. And our family home was registered as a company asset to be used to offset his alleged debts.’

‘I did wonder why it was Derek who kept the house.’

‘Strangely enough, the business picked up after Mum was forced to settle. Dad told me what he did. He was quite proud of it.’