‘Yes. I’m involved.’ Or should be, thought Chloe, reminding herself to text Sam after she’d spoken to Hannah. ‘Is Ruby OK? Do you have everything you need for her?’ she asked.

‘My car’s rammed with stuff but your marshals wouldn’t let me onto the harbour car park so I’m ages away on some field. I’ve got everything I need for Ruby for the night but I had to leave loads of stuff with a friend in Bristol.’ There was a pause. ‘Mum, I couldn’t stand it any longer with him and I threw him out. I’m so sorry. I know I can’t expect to just come running home after what’s happened but I didn’t know who else to turn to and anyway …’ There was a telltale break in her daughter’s voice. ‘I wanted to see you.’

Chloe’s heart almost stopped. She was so relieved to hear her daughter say those words, yet angry and upset at the hurt she’d gone through. ‘I want to see you too. I said I’d always be here for you and Ruby and I meant it. I’ll be there in forty minutes or so.’ She heard a faint wail. ‘Is that Ruby?’ she asked, her skin tingling with excitement at hearing her.

‘Yes. She’s hungry and tired. It’s been a long day. I need to take her out of the buggy. Mum, I have to go and change her. I’ll stay here. I’ll see you soon.’ Hannah’s voice wobbled. ‘I can’t wait.’

The phone clicked off. And that was it. Hannah speaking almost as if nothing had happened. After all the days, weeks and months – years – of worrying and longing and waiting, in less than an hour, Chloe would see her daughter and meet her baby granddaughter.

The car stopped at some traffic lights. Drew glanced at her. ‘That was Hannah in Porthmellow? Is she OK?’

‘I don’t know … tired … stressed but very Hannah. She remembered that we used to go in the Harbour Café for chocolate eclairs. She said it had gone hipster-ish. You’d almost think the past two years had never happened.’

‘Maybe for now she wants to pretend they haven’t. It’ll all come out soon enough, I expect.’

‘Yes … plus there’s Jordan to deal with. I don’t know whether he’ll try to get back with her. I need to let Fraser know. He’s bound to want to come to see her. Oh God, I hope he doesn’t turn up like a bull at a gate. I’m glad I can spend some time with Hannah first, before he weighs in. He does love her, but he’s never been one for subtlety.’

Drew touched her hand. ‘I’m sure Hannah knows that. We’ll be there soon and you can calm the situation down and prepare her.’