‘Scaring me if I’m honest. I bumped into Ella outside and she told me they’d argued about the statement she’d given the police. Apparently Derek was planning to divorce her.’

‘You don’t say,’ replied Tara, sounding tired rather than surprised. ‘I was told tonight that Nick was a bit of a fantasist and I don’t think he was the only one.’

Tara went on to tell April as much as she could about her meeting with Josh and Olivia, and by the end of it, April’s legs were weak. ‘What’s going on, Tara? Has Faith told the truth about anything?’

‘And what are you two whispering about?’

Faith was at the doorway with two coffees and a fresh G&T.

‘We were talking about the flat,’ Tara said. ‘April should be able to move in next week.’

‘You didn’t tell me,’ Faith said, admonishingly. ‘Come on, sit back down. I want to hear everything.’

The three women took their seats and for perhaps fifteen minutes, they talked as old friends might. But April and Tara were less practised at the art of performance, and Faith eyed them beadily.

‘I wish you wouldn’t worry about me,’ she said after a pause. ‘You know what I’m like. I can weather most storms.’

‘But after everything you’ve been through,’ Tara said, ‘it must have taken its toll.’

‘I expect it has.’

The mug April was holding didn’t feel safe in her clammy hands. She put it down before she asked, ‘Did you really have feelings for Nick, or was it a financial arrangement?’

Faith’s head tilted. ‘Just because the world in general is poking its nose into my life, doesn’t mean my friends have to do the same.’

The note of warning was enough to provoke a reaction from Tara. ‘But we’re the ones who have to defend you,’ she said. ‘You need to be open with us, Faith.’

Faith appeared to consider her position, giving April the courage to press on. ‘You say one thing, but there are people out there who are going to contradict you. You talk about an unhappy childhood, but others say what a great team you and your dad made. You want us to believe your marriage was perfect, but Ella and her mum will testify that wasn’t entirely true. Things will come out about Nick too. Only you know the whole truth, the good and the bad, and if you don’t correct people’s assumptions, they’ll begin to mistrust you.’

‘It sounds like they already are,’ Faith said. Her lip protruded before she added, ‘I don’t care what other people think.’

‘Well you should,’ Tara said, ‘because the police won’t be relying on your word alone.’

‘Are you two ganging up on me?’