His eyebrows flew up. ‘And how much is that going to cost me from abroad?’

‘You can’t put a price on peace of mind,’ Evie said sternly.

He chuckled and with a toot of the horn he pulled away from the kerb. And so began the grand tour of Europe which he and Mum had been planning all their married life. Evie and I waved and waited until the van was out of view.

‘Bless him,’ I murmured. ‘I hope he’ll be okay.’

‘I’ve half a mind to run off and join him.’ Evie sighed. ‘The thought of escaping normal life for a while is hugely appealing.’

‘Normal?’ I arched a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Where did you get that crazy idea from?’

‘Good point.’ She laughed softly and looped her arm through mine, leading us back inside.

We’d spent the weekend blitzing our family home. Dad had been clearing out in preparation for his trip for a while but there had still been plenty to do. Adam and Nicky were renting the house furnished, so we hadn’t had to do anything with the furniture or appliances, thank heavens, but there had still been masses to load when the lorry arrived on Monday to take everything else to a storage unit on a nearby industrial estate.

Evie had been working, but I’d been on hand to help get Dad organized. He was understandably excited that the day was finally here, but I found it weird seeing the house stripped of all the little things that had made it home. Still, I didn’t have time to dwell: Adam and Nicky were waiting further along the road with both sets of parents and three cars’ worth of belongings and no sooner had the lorry trundled off than they pulled up on to the drive.

I’d transferred my two suitcases to Evie’s spare room and Dad spent his first night in the motorhome, parked outside her house. It had been lovely being back with my family. I’d forgotten how easy life could be when you could speak your mind without having to censor it first for fear of someone misinterpreting the most innocuous of sentences.

Not that the last few days had been entirely without tension. Harvey had made his presence felt with numerous messages and texts, ranging from declarations of love and how he just wanted his favourite girl home to tearful pleadings for forgiveness, topped off last night with a furious rant that ended in ‘GOOD RIDDANCE’.

I hadn’t spoken to him once, but after that last message, I sent him one back.

Harvey, I’m sorry you’re upset, but I’ve made my decision and I’m sticking to it. I’ve transferred some money to cover my half of the bills for this month and next, and now I’m blocking your number from my phone. I think it’s for the best. I wish you well. Lottie