Bethany sat as quietly as possible, not even daring to breathe as she looked straight ahead, occasionally stealing sly glances at her sullen-faced friend.

They were both drenched in guilt and Bethany felt most of the shame. After Tara's narration of her meeting with Sandy, Bethany had wisely kept totally quiet to allow time for her friend to calm down a little. But the silence was killing her and she wondered how long it would go on. Suddenly, the back door was opened and then closed and she could hear sharp whistling. Someone must have had a splendid day at work, she thought.

Leonard soon bustled into the room, whistling...