‘I don’t know what to do,’ I said. The air in the room felt heavy. I wanted to open a window. It felt too small with me and Jodi in there, and the absence of Mike, and Jodi’s heavy belly pressing down.

‘Just keep going. For Benji and Cassie. They have school tomorrow?’

‘How could they go to school? People will know, won’t they?’

‘Maybe not. Has he actually been charged yet?’

‘I think so, yes.’ I looked at her. ‘Jodi, what do I do?’

‘He’ll need a lawyer. I assume he had the duty one at the station?’

I didn’t even know – I was so clueless. ‘Will you . . .’

She twisted up her mouth. ‘I can’t, since I’m a witness. Anyway, I’m the size of a house. I can recommend someone though. In fact, I already made a few calls.’

I tried to think what I needed to do. Was there food in the house? Had the kitchen been cleared when I passed through? ‘The kids?’

‘Cassie’s in bed. I gave Benji some breakfast. He . . . they were asking what happened, him and Cassie. I had to tell them. Some of it, at least.’

‘Thank you.’ My voice cracked on it. I had to go to them, talk to them. Be their mother. ‘Did you see anything, Jodi? Anything at all?’

She reached down to rub a smudge off her boot. ‘I was conked out, I’m afraid. I get so tired these days. Then I woke up and realised Cal wasn’t in bed, found him sparko in the living room.’

‘Do you think someone could have come into the garden?’

‘Sure. That’s always possible.’

It was either that or Karen had made it up. She’d done those things to herself, because Mike had rejected her. Suddenly I had to tell someone. And I could hardly talk to Karen, could I? ‘He said . . . Mike says they slept together. Yesterday, while I was out.’

I waited for the shock. It didn’t come.

‘You knew?’

Jodi made a face. ‘Not for sure. When we arrived they came out of his office together. They were sort of – strange. I thought she was just being flirty maybe. You know how she is.’

I did.

‘Should I have told you, Ali?’

‘I don’t know. It’s a big thing, if you don’t know for sure.’ Would I have wanted to hear it? Would I have believed it?

‘Right. Right. And they’re such good friends, it could have been nothing.’ She shuddered. ‘If it were me, I’d want to move out right away. Doing that here, in your house – urgh.’