Faith’s comment sounded innocent, but Tara picked up an undertone. Did she think there was something developing between the group’s newest members? Tara had seen April and Nick talking after the last meeting, but when she had gone over to join them, April had looked relieved to have the extra company. If there was any interest, it was one-sided.

‘He hasn’t been pestering you, has he?’ asked Tara.

April’s laugh held no mirth. ‘No. And how could he? He doesn’t have my number.’

‘But he—’ Faith snapped her mouth shut before she could finish her sentence.

‘What?’ demanded Tara. ‘You didn’t give it to him, did you?’

‘Of course not,’ she said. It wasn’t often that Faith was wrong-footed, but she sounded unsure when she added, ‘He mentioned setting up a WhatsApp group, that’s all, and I presumed you’d all swapped numbers.’

‘He never mentioned it to me. Do you think he needs more support than a monthly meet-up?’ asked Tara. ‘According to Justine, his only family is one sister. Could he be reaching out?’

‘He’s not shown any interest in going over to the pub whenever Steve’s asked,’ April said. ‘I get the impression he’s the type who prefers women’s company.’

Tara was inclined to agree. Nick did appear more at ease talking to the female members of the group, in fact she could remember him making a point of saying goodbye to Faith. She could see Nick with his phone in his hand. ‘Did he ask you for your number, Faith?’

She huffed rather than give an answer. ‘Was there a point to coming out today? I thought you had some news for us, April.’

When April dug her hand into her pocket, Dexter’s ears pricked at the rustle of the treat bag, but the object she pulled out was smooth and white.

‘I found this on Jason’s grave,’ she said, unfurling her fingers.

The three women stopped to gather around April’s open palm. Her hand shook, not least because Dexter had lost interest in them and was straining on his leash again.

‘Here give me that,’ Faith said, taking the leash and yanking it hard. ‘Hey, you!’

Dexter froze immediately. The leash relaxed.

‘Come here, sit down, and be quiet.’

The dog crept towards her, tail between his legs.

‘I said sit!’

White crescent moons rimmed the dog’s eyes as he sat down and gazed up at Faith. For the moment at least, they could concentrate on the object in April’s trembling hand.

‘What is it?’ asked Tara.

April lifted the stone between her finger and thumb and turned it from side to side so it caught the light. ‘It’s a heart,’ she said. ‘I found it on Jason’s grave. Someone had hidden it there.’