‘It was something she learnt to do well, thanks to us,’ Tara said. ‘It took me years to see through her lies and inventions. Imagine how difficult it’s been for the jury to make sense of who she is. How many of Faith’s character witnesses would go back and reconsider their testimonies if they knew how Faith had spoken about them behind their backs?’ Tara was thinking of Ella in particular, but there was also Mr Newton, the neighbour Faith had blasted for his allegiance to the first Mrs Cavendish. He was a convert now, taking great pleasure in being Faith’s hero of the hour.

‘And meanwhile we’re the treacherous friends,’ April added.

‘We took the stand and spoke the truth, that’s as much as we could do.’

‘Mine was more of a mumble between sobs. Molly did better than I did.’

‘She was amazing, but then she didn’t have to go into the court or face the same kind of brutal cross-examination you endured.’

‘I wish I hadn’t fallen apart, but the defence kept badgering me about my original statement. I should never have said it was Faith I heard telling Nick she loved him. If only Mr Newton had been listening in on that part of the conversation. Yes, I was confused about that bit, but not the rest – not about Faith claiming Nick confessed all.’

‘He did love her, didn’t he?’ Tara said. ‘It’s so wrong that the trial has been more about his character than Faith’s. If Nick were alive, I’d be having strong words with him right now about how selfish and irresponsible he was, but why the hell should a jury – or the nation for that matter – get to decide whether he deserved to die for it? He didn’t. He really didn’t.’

‘Is there any doubt in your mind that she did it?’

The night Olivia had showed up at the shop with Josh, Tara had gone from worrying that Faith had overreacted to believing she was capable of premeditated murder, but even as the trial started, there had been lingering doubts. ‘It was the forensic evidence that did it for me,’ Tara said finally. ‘Particularly the trail of Faith’s footprints leading past Nick to the cooker. She had been more concerned about burning her dinner than the man dying on the floor.’

April rubbed her arms. ‘Can we talk about something else? There’s nothing any of us can do about it now.’

‘You’re right. It’s over and it’s time to look to the future.’

Despite Tara’s optimism, neither woman could think of anything to say. April finished her drink.

‘Iain’s decided not to come back to the group,’ Tara said at last.

‘But you’re going to stay involved, aren’t you?’