As time passed, I fell deeper in love with him, this man who was so straight. So good. All my other partners had played games, had agendas, but not Rory. He was honest about his feelings right from the beginning, and he listened to how I felt. He’d never pressured me into anything. We talked about the future, of course, in the abstract way you do when you don’t really believe you’ll become thirty, then thirty-one in the blink of an eye, and have to make grown-up decisions, like whether to get married and have children.

But now, for the first time since we’ve been together, I feel the pressure.

If I don’t commit to Rory he’ll leave me, find someone else to marry and have his babies.

I walk to work, despondent but fearless. In the cold light of day I have more courage: I’m ready to tackle anyone who might pose a threat. Back off. Nobody tells me what to do, I think, as my feet pound the pavement. Someone is playing mind games with me and I’m not having it. I refuse to be intimidated. I’m a strong, independent woman. I don’t need this kind of shit in my life.

It starts to rain and I put my umbrella up, the damp seeping through my sheer purple spotty tights. I’m walking by the river when my mobile buzzes in my coat pocket. I stop to answer it, expecting it to be Ted, asking me to take a detour to interview someone on my way in. I’m surprised when I find it’s Margot. She must want to talk to me about what went down with Adam last night.

Her voice sounds strained, like she’s been crying. ‘Sorry to bother you, Jess. I just … I needed to talk to someone. It’s too early to visit Heather yet.’

‘Are you okay? How did it go with Adam last night? Did you tell him about the note?’

‘Yes. That’s all fine. He was buying a puppy from Clive. It’s not that, Jess. It’s … The police called. This is off the record until you hear from them yourself but …’ she gulps ‘… they think they’ve found Flora’s body.’

I gasp and lean over the railings, the river rushing past me. I need a cigarette so badly that my hand trembles in anticipation. ‘What?’ I manage. ‘Where?’

‘They wouldn’t say too much. I need to go to the police station. I need to …’ Her voice is shaky.

‘When? Would you like me to come with you?’

‘They’ve told me to go later. This afternoon. No, it’s okay, Jess. Thank you, though. I’ll … I’ll be in touch. I’ve got to dash now.’

I open my mouth to respond but the phone goes dead.