I had no words of comfort for Logan and, even if I had, I couldn’t speak. I gently pushed him in the direction of the taxi, which had now pulled onto the drive behind Mum’s car.

I’d texted her to say I was going out and dropping Logan at Rachel’s. I’d spotted her phone on her bedside drawers and figured she had more chance of seeing a text than a note downstairs. I hadn’t dared open her door and tell her in person. I also hadn’t dared take her car. Using some of Dad’s inheritance money to get a car of my own was going to have to be a priority tomorrow. Assuming I wasn’t catching a train back to London.

‘How about I take you bowling this afternoon after all?’ I asked as the taxi backed off the drive.

Logan beamed at me. I hadn’t made Mum happy but at least I could make my little brother happy.

He put his headphones in and concentrated on a game on his DS during the short journey to Rachel’s so I grabbed the opportunity to send a text:

✉︎ To Sam

I don’t know whether you need me this morning or not but I need you. Had a horrendous run-in with Mum just now and I don’t know what to do. I’ll be at Blue Savannah from ten. If you can’t make it, I understand. I’ve already asked far too many favours from you xx

✉︎ From Sam

I’ll be there xx

It was shortly after ten when the taxi driver dropped me off near Blue Savannah having taken Logan to Rachel’s. I’d quickly briefed her on my disastrous morning as soon as he disappeared upstairs with Eden.

I paused and breathed in the sea air as the taxi driver pulled away. Despite being the penultimate day of October, it was warm and sunny with the lightest of breezes. North Bay was already busy with children on scooters, families on bikes, dog walkers, and babies in buggies, all making the most of the last weekend of half-term.

Sam was coming out of the bar as I approached, carrying what looked like a coffee and an enormous hot chocolate piled high with cream. He placed them down on a metal table and waved at me.

‘I thought it was a bit early for a pint of beer.’ He lightly kissed me on the cheek after I’d taken the steps onto the terrace. ‘But it’s never too early for a pint of hot chocolate. I hope you like it with cream and marshmallows.’

‘It’s perfect. Thank you.’

We sat down, facing the beach. I dipped my finger in the cream and licked it. Yummy. ‘Have you been to—?’