“You should let her know how you feel, Mills. Sometimes people just don’t realise when they are hurting you. It’s often based on a misunderstanding or something else going on, maybe an assumption she has made about you, and all it takes is a simple conversation to clear it all up. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you aren’t speaking at all or, even worse, end up hurting each other.” As she said this, Helen could feel Diana staring at her, but when Helen met her gaze, her eyes were wide and innocent.

“That is very true, Diana. Talking is important,” Hugh added, nodding sagely. “A problem shared is a problem halved. One should always bat with a straight bat, let people know where they stand.” Hugh and his clichés.

“Right, thanks for that cricketing analogy,” Mills said, barely disguising her sarcasm.

Diana’s words were clanging in Helen’s ears, images of the photo dancing to the beat, making her question every word Diana was saying, why she was here in her house, what motive she had for getting close to her stepson, her husband, her family.

‘If you were a bloke, you could just punch her and get it all sorted,” Matt said unhelpfully. “It worked for me and Tommy Green in primary school.”

“Violence is never the answer, Matt,” Hugh said predictably. “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

“I don’t think a strongly worded letter will do the trick, Hugh,” Helen said. “I think you’re right, Matt. The only way to stop a bully is to stand up to them, show them strength. Maybe she does just need a hard slap.”

Silence fell over the table as all eyes swivelled towards Helen. They were trying to work out if she was being serious.

Then Mills started to laugh. “Imagine her face if I did!” She laughed harder and Lydia joined in nervously.

Hugh sighed deeply at the other end of the table and shook his head. “Not the right message to be sending to our impressionable young family, darling,” he said, exasperated. “Let’s talk about something else.”

Helen looked over at Diana and smiled sardonically. For the first time, it was Diana who looked away first.

Screw her. Time for Helen Whitmore to step back into the shadows where she belonged and for Helen Tillsbury to reappear. If Diana wanted to fuck with Helen, then bring it on.

*

Later that evening, Helen overheard Matt saying goodbye to Diana.

“Do you have to go? You can stay over if you like,” he said, his voice surprisingly needling and pathetic. He was normally so determinedly in control of himself, rarely showing any emotion at all.

“I have loads to do on my portfolio for next week. Besides, we’ve spent every day together for the last week.” Her voice sounded impatient.