The novel concentrates on the relationships in Sophie’s life: Andrew, the ex-husband who decided he didn’t want to be married any longer; Tamsin, the quietly troubled young daughter whose custody they share; and her colleagues at the brothel, hard-edged young women with carefully hidden inner lives. The story’s central thread concerns Sophie’s struggle to deal amicably with Andrew over custody, while his rejection of her is still raw. It quickly becomes clear that Sophie’s seemingly practical job choice has its roots in revenge, as her secret pleasure in deceiving her womanising ex is accompanied by the confidence boost of having a series of men pay to have sex with her. Beneath the matter-of-fact surface lurks the threat of exposure. Concurrent with the time bomb of Andrew’s discovery is the threat of prosecution in a neighbourhood increasingly disturbed by the goings on at Number 10, and the emotional threat posed by a client who provides an outlet for Sophie’s bitter energy.

This is a skilful portrait of a damaged woman’s haphazard attempt to rebuild her life, without heed for the consequences of her actions.