‘Who says I’m locked away? I’ve been on more cruises and visited more countries than I could possibly remember.’ She could add that with every trip came a holiday romance that was severed the moment the liner returned to port, but she wasn’t sure if that made her sound less like a lonely widow or more so.

‘And what about when you’re not counting down to your next holiday? Wouldn’t you like to take a risk once in a while?’

‘I do take risks. Calculated ones.’

Nick leant in closer, his lips hovering over hers. ‘Will you take a risk on me?’ he asked.

Faith considered her options. She was under pressure to make some serious decisions about her life, but she was no fool. Nick was trying too hard to impress her. ‘Only when I know I can trust you,’ she said. ‘I want to know what it is you’re not telling me.’

RESPONSES

Alex Butterworth @AlBut4550

Replying to @thewidowsclub

If you were so worried about privacy, maybe you should have been more careful about how you selected your members.

Dan Faye @DannyPeeps

Replying to @thewidowsclub

Have you seen the photo where they’re all out partying? Looks like they’re dancing on someone’s grave – and we all know whose.

Petersj @Petersjhome

Replying to Dan Faye @DannyPeeps

I hate to agree with anything this group says but the use of that photo and the headlines about a Valentine’s Day Massacre have been in poor taste. Show some respect. There’s a family in mourning.

14

There were lots of empty chairs at the final group session before Christmas, making April wonder if the effort to leave the house had been worth it. She had locked herself away in her bedroom all weekend watching Game of Thrones, and her self-confinement had continued into the working week.

April had told her boss that she had a virus, but her parents were not so easily fooled. They had wanted her to open up, but how could she do that when they remained so close to Jason’s parents? It was bad enough that April had to put on an act in front of them, she didn’t want her Mum and Dad being forced to take part in the charade too. Her mother-in-law didn’t know that her beloved boy was a cheat and a liar, and she would never hear it from April. Deciding how much Jason should be loved or loathed was April’s agony alone.

Faith’s idea of editing the past was a tempting proposition, but before April could begin to compartmentalise her feelings, she needed more information. Only one source was left to plunder, but before she confronted Bree, April wanted to talk it through with Faith again – except she hadn’t shown up, and Justine was eager to open the meeting.

‘Shall we make a start?’ Justine suggested. ‘It doesn’t look like anyone else is coming tonight.’