‘So. Where were we?’ She mused, one finger pressed against her lips as if pondering. ‘Ah yes! We were coming up with a suitable way for you to pay for what you’ve done.’

I stood there, dumbstruck, and tried to process what the hell was happening.

‘We could continue the funeral pyre theme – people seem to like a good blaze around here. How about setting this little wood-filled shack alight, and then I’ll stand at a safe distance and listen to you scream?’

She paused, forehead creasing. ‘Oh, except someone might spot the flames and come to investigate. Hmmm… What else? Oh – I could impale you with that fork over there. Pin you to the wall while I remind you of the names of every business you’ve closed, every last waiter who ended up out of work, every life you’ve trashed. I have a list here, ready on my phone. That might be fun. Or – how about I tie you up and drag you to the river, watch the bubbles rise to the surface as you drown? A fitting tribute to your so-called friend, don’t you think? Your boyfriend will appreciate the gesture.’

‘You’re insane,’ I croaked.

‘Probably,’ Lucy shrugged, before her voice hardened again. ‘But you drove me to it.’

‘The police will know it was you. Everyone heard how much you hate me.’

‘Hundreds of people hate you! Not to mention the Alami family, who after their little attempt at intimidation last year, provided the perfect cover. And so what if the police do figure it out? My life is over, anyway.’

‘You have an amazing life!’ I tried to jumpstart my brain again, to keep her talking until maybe someone got worried and came looking for me, or I could think up some other way to get out of this. ‘You’ve got a glamorous career, money, fame, a fabulous social life. Marcus. Why would you risk all that?’

‘Why would I give a crap about that, compared to what you did to my family!’ She shrieked. My panic jolted up another level. She genuinely was insane.

‘Well? Don’t you have anything at all to say about it?’

‘I… I’m sorry. Whatever happened to your family…’

‘Don’t pretend you can’t even remember!’ Tears and spittle flew as she shook her head, enraged. ‘We were just another column to you, another cheap laugh. After your review my dad had to sell the restaurant! We lost our house. Had to move into a two bedroom flat! A two bedroom flat! I was fifteen years old! Can you imagine what that felt like? You ruined my life!’

‘Lucy, I get that it must have been hard, but moving house is not worth going to prison for murder for.’

‘What would you know about it?’ she screeched.

‘I shared a bunk bed with my grandma until I was twenty-six. That’s why I couldn’t turn down being Nora Sharp. I needed a job. A chance to get away. A life! But you have that now – you stole my life. My job, my reputation. My boyfriend. Please don’t throw that all away on some fleeting revenge. I’m not worth it.’