I glare at Jack as I return to my desk. I set the card near my keyboard and quickly snap it with my phone.

‘What?’ he says, coming over as I shrug on my coat and grab my bag, opening it for my purse.

‘I shouldn’t have nicked the bloody card.’ I slip it into my purse. ‘Now I have to take it to the police station.’

Jack bites his lip, his eyes worried. ‘Shit, I’m sorry. I never thought.’

I lower my voice. ‘I need Ted to trust me.’

‘He does trust you.’

‘You don’t understand …’

Jack sighs. ‘Of course I bloody do. I’m not an idiot, Jess. I know what went on in London. I remember the scandal. It was all over the news. I wondered if you might have been caught up in it.’

How long has he known this about me? I’ve not told anyone about it since leaving London. The thought that Jack, the only friend I’ve felt a connection with since Heather, has insight into this dark, ugly part of me makes me feel sick with shame. No wonder he jokes that I’m as hard as nails. He couldn’t be more wrong.

I stare at him for a few seconds, thrown, my cheeks burning. How could he know this about me and still want to be my friend? He opens his mouth to say something but I hold up a hand, signalling for him to stop. There’s nobody else in the newsroom apart from Sue but I don’t want her to hear. I pull the strap firmly over my shoulder and gesture for him to follow. Sue’s on the phone as we stride past, but I sense her looking up at us. ‘I’ve told you,’ I can hear her saying, ‘to give him the bloody elbow. He doesn’t deserve you, Sal.’

It’s raining when we get outside so we huddle in the doorway. There’s no sign of Stan. ‘I can’t be long,’ says Jack, wrapping his arms about his thin frame. He’s wearing a trendy suit and his legs are like pipe cleaners. ‘Ted wants me to finish uploading some photos before I leave tonight.’ He clears his throat and shuffles, seeming embarrassed. ‘Look, we’ve been friends for nearly a year. You can tell me anything – you do know that, don’t you? I’m never going to think any less of you.’

To my shame, my eyes fill with tears. I touch his arm. ‘Thank you. Do you want to meet for a quick drink after work?’