And – oh God, this was embarrassing. Some of the mums she knew had texted her as well: Mel and Ashleigh and Sara, all asking after her. You all right? Can I help? Ring me if you need a friend, they said and she bit her lip, slightly overwhelmed that everyone was being so concerned. So nice. She also felt kind of embarrassed. Just how many people had Mack told? Were they all gossiping about her now?

The phone vibrated in her hand as a new message appeared in the next moment: her brother again. Hey – are you in Falmouth? Had a message on Facebook from Nick Barton, saying he thought he saw you in town. Want me to meet you somewhere? Can get out of work if you want to talk. x

Tears misted Olivia’s eyes. Now that Danny lived in London and was busy with work and dating, while she was so tied up with the boys, they hadn’t seen much of each other recently, but he knew her, he understood. In some ways he knew her a lot better than her own husband. An image came to her of the two of them huddled on the back doorstep the night their mum had left, their small bodies shivering, their small tummies empty. For a short alarming time, it had felt as if it was just the two of them against the world, but they’d had each other at least.

Thanks, she replied to him. Just figuring some stuff out. Will call in a few days, promise. x

Mack next. Guilt pierced her as she read his messages and saw the latest photos of the boys he’d sent: a day-trip to Bristol Zoo, by the look of it, then the two of them in the bath later on with soap bubbles on their heads. A little video of them both waving at her and Stanley saying, ‘We love Mummy!’ while Harry loyally added, ‘And Daddy!’

For so long she had felt weighed down by numbness, but she could feel it starting to lift off her at last, wisp by wisp peeling gradually away. The world seemed to be shifting back into focus again, as if she could see more clearly. She loved the three of them, so much. She always had done.

Feeling choked up, she typed a message to Mack: Sorry about this. I miss you all too. I’m starting to feel a bit more human. There’s just one thing I have left to do here. x

She sent the message, then switched off her phone again before anyone could ring her. Then she turned back to her letter. If she could somehow put things right here in Falmouth, she might just be able to face her real life in Bristol again, she thought. It was worth a try, wasn’t it?

Chapter Twenty-Two