‘I wonder if it’s support group business. They’ve been coming under fire of late,’ she said. ‘And maybe they do have questions to answer.’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘Tara’s not with the police now, is she?’

‘No. Definitely not.’

Faith sighed. ‘I know I shouldn’t say this, but I can’t believe she’s letting me down again. What on earth can be so important for her not to be here?’

April picked up her water. Tara had told her not to mention the meeting with Josh. It could be something or nothing, and it made sense not to worry Faith unnecessarily. It wasn’t that they didn’t trust her. ‘I’m sure she’ll tell us when she gets here.’

‘Fine,’ Faith said with a waft of the hand. ‘Everyone else can keep their secrets apparently.’

41

Tara took slow, mindful breaths as she wiped down the shop counters, but each time she inhaled, her chest remained stubbornly constricted.

‘There’s a car turning into the car park. I think it’s him,’ Justine said. She was on guard by the door, waiting for Josh while searching the shadows for any roving reporters on the hunt for a scoop; and their meeting would certainly qualify as that. ‘Oh, hold on, he’s with someone.’

Hoping Justine was mistaken, Tara joined her for a closer look. To her horror, she recognised both figures walking towards the shop. She took off her apron and stepped away as Justine opened the door and beckoned them in.

‘You must be Josh,’ Justine said, shaking his hand. ‘I’m Justine.’

Josh turned to his companion. ‘This is Olivia, Nick’s sister.’

‘Oh,’ Justine said. ‘Oh, I see.’ Her eyes darted to Tara, who was making a good show of being preoccupied closing the blinds.

‘I was the one who asked for the meeting,’ Olivia confessed. She too was watching Tara. ‘I didn’t think you’d agree if you knew it was me.’

‘Shall we sit down?’ Justine asked. ‘Would you like a drink, or something to eat perhaps? Tara makes the most amazing cakes.’

‘Water is fine,’ Olivia said. It was clear she was going to be the spokesperson.

While Tara fetched four glasses, Josh and Olivia were directed to the booth closest to the door. Neither took off their coats and, when Justine joined them, they all waited for Tara in silence.

‘What is it you want?’ Tara asked after setting down the glasses and taking her place next to Justine. It was the first time she had looked directly at Olivia and her heart wrenched. Her eyes were Nick’s eyes, and they were jagged with raw grief.

Olivia gulped hard. ‘I want to know what happened. What made her attack him? The police won’t tell me, and the papers are making it up as they go along.’