Betrayal close to home

Mandi Collins, 44

Peeking through the window of my local, I wondered if my date had arrived yet.

Taking a deep breath, I walked inside.

It was August 2019 and, after months of him chasing me, I’d finally given in and agreed to a date with Chris, 51.

We had met earlier that summer. I’d been working behind the bar of my local pub and Chris had been a regular.

A single mum to two teenage boys, dating hadn’t been on my agenda.

But Chris seemed kind, always asking how I was.

And now, as I walked into the