I’ve arranged to meet Margot in the entrance to Southmead Hospital and she’s already there when I arrive. She’s wearing a wool camel coat that reaches mid-calf, and a large black cashmere scarf slung around her neck. I’m struck again by how elegant she is. She’s wearing lipstick and her hair is styled, the streaks of white at the front giving her a distinguished appearance. For a moment, a millisecond, really, I feel a stab of envy for Heather that’s so sharp I gasp. My own mother never even called me back after our brief, awkward phone chat last Friday night.

When Margot spots me, her green eyes light up and she hurries over, pulling me in for a hug. I allow myself to be engulfed by her warmth, the smell of her familiar musky perfume, before she releases me.

‘Thank you for coming. Heather will be so pleased to see you,’ she says, taking my arm and leading me through the atrium towards the maze of corridors while I wonder if this is true. I’ve no idea of the reaction I’ll receive from Heather and my heart races at the thought. She’d be within her rights to tell me to get lost.

Margot’s chatting the whole way, and I wonder if she’s nervous. I can’t help the small thrill that runs through me at the thought that I’m allowed into her inner sanctum.

But I know not to be fooled. Behind that refined politeness Margot would fight to the death for her family. I’ve been on the receiving end of her hostility, and I don’t want that to happen again. I need to tread a very fine line here between being loyal to her but also getting Ted the story he wants.

Yet again I wonder if I’m the right person for this job. How objective can I be? I’ve already admitted to myself that I want to believe Heather is innocent and that there is a rational but not-yet-found explanation for all of this – although, as time goes on, it’s looking less likely.

My heart starts to beat faster as we approach Heather’s room and my mouth is so dry I can only nod as Margot tells me Heather’s no longer in ICU and that the police will be formally questioning her tomorrow, now the doctors deem her well enough. She doesn’t say it but I sense her unease about what will happen when Heather is discharged. Will she be taken straight into police custody or will she be allowed home? At least she has Margot to fight for her. I’m sure she’ll get her the best lawyers, the best defence team. I imagine she has money squirrelled away. She’s never been one for material things, preferring to spend her cash on her animals.