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“Oh... yes, that. She’s fine, thanks.”

“What did you think I meant?”

“Nothing,” Frances replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Mara let out a deep sigh. “Look, Frances. I know it was your mum.” She opened the folder she was holding and pulled out a sheet of paper. “I have the report for you to sign, and Bob was very exact on timings — especially when the alarm triggered.”

“Why does it even warrant a report? That’s ridiculous! It was burnt toast.”

“You know Bob. And, technically, every alarm does need a report regardless of the cause. I happened to speak to Lucie a few minutes before, so I know she wouldn’t have had time to get to your house, let alone burn toast. Which leads me to the conclusion that it was your mum who did it and Lucie who was covering for her.” Mara sat down in the chair opposite the desk, her eyes boring into Frances. “I think your mum is unwell, Frances, and that you are trying to hide it.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Frances snapped, her heart pounding.

Was the cat out of the bag after everything she’d done to try to prevent it? Damn Bob and his work ethic.

Mara let out another sigh as she crossed her arms. “Frances, how long have we been friends?”

Frances looked down, too ashamed to answer straight away. She should have been able to trust Mara, and normally she did, but in this, it wasn’t possible. There was too much at stake.

“About ten years,” she mumbled.

“Exactly. You can talk to me. You can trust me.”

Mara’s voice was almost pleading, which only made Frances feel worse. She rubbed her forehead, knowing she couldn’t talk her way out of this one.

“Am I right?” Mara pressed.

She exhaled. “Yes. Mum has Alzheimer’s. She has for about two years — probably longer if I’m honest.”

“I’m grateful you are — finally — and I’m sorry to hear it. Now sign the report so I can file it.” Mara placed the sheet of paper in front of her.

“You aren’t going to dispute the report?”

“I won’t say anything for now, but I urge you to do something. Perhaps you could take a step back for a while and focus on what is important.”

“I can’t. I have this place to run,” she protested.

“Then have someone else be with her. Alzheimer’s is not something to hide or feel ashamed about. Nor should you be alone in managing it.”

Frances clenched her jaw and signed the paper.

“What has Lucie got to do with all this anyway? Why is she covering for your mum?” Mara said, taking it back and placing it into her folder.

“Mum started wandering. Lucie saw her and helped her. Her gran had something similar, from what I can gather, and she cared for her.” Frances gave a small shrug. “I assume she recognised the signs.”

Mara nodded as if in agreement.

“Anyway, Mum seems to have taken to her.” A broad, slightly foolish grin made its way onto Frances’s lips before she could stop it.

“Looks like you have as well.”

Frances was about to dispute that supposition when Mara continued.

“I like her too. She has a good energy about her, don’t you think?”

Frances hummed noncommittally.

“Well, I have a twelve o’clock meeting, so I’ll leave you to think about what I said,” Mara added, a note of firmness returning as she lifted her folder. “You really can’t let this happen again, Frances. Take action while it’s still yours to take.”