Something folded in Olivia’s heart, but then she forced herself to toughen up. She had to do this. ‘Um . . . thanks, but I won’t stop,’ she said. If she ventured into Lorna’s sunny kitchen, no doubt with warm jam tarts from the oven cooling on a tray and a teapot with a brightly knitted cosy, she would never be able to steel herself and do what she intended. ‘I’m actually leaving. Heading off to sort everything out and . . .’ She shrugged self-consciously. ‘You know, try and be a proper grown-up.’

‘Good for you,’ said Lorna. Her small gold earrings gleamed in the light as she nodded approvingly. ‘I’m really glad. I hope everything works out.’

Olivia gave her a small smile – so do I – but could feel her hands trembling by her sides and knotted them together in a clammy tangle. Here we go. ‘Before I leave, I just wanted to thank you and Roy, so much, for everything,’ she went on. ‘For taking me in like that when I was at rock-bottom. You are just the best, both of you. Aidan was really lucky to have you.’

Lorna’s eyes glistened at the mention of his name. ‘And I want to thank you,’ she replied warmly. ‘For bringing him back to us with your stories. Honestly, it has been the best gift hearing your memories, I can’t tell you. Any time you want to stay with us, you’re more than welcome. Bring the family next time, I’d love to meet them.’

‘Thank you,’ said Olivia, her stomach twisting. She wasn’t sure Lorna would be saying that any more once she’d read the letter. ‘Um,’ she said, still undecided even now. Then she pulled the envelope from her handbag and held it out. You could almost hear it ticking like a bomb. ‘Here,’ she said, her voice wavering. No going back now. ‘This is for you. Please don’t open it until I’m gone,’ she added, hoping she wasn’t making a terrible mistake. Lorna looked at her, eyes questioning, and Olivia shoved it into her hand. ‘There was a baby,’ she blurted out and then walked quickly away.

Olivia’s body must have known what to do even if her mind was blanking on her, like a dying light bulb, because somehow or other it got her into the car and then she was driving off, gripping the wheel as nausea rose inside, too fearful to look back in case Lorna was already racing after her, shaking a fist, having been unable to wait to read the letter.