‘She sees some stranger and convinces herself the person is Kitty. Then she spends the next few months throwing herself heart and soul into proving that person is her dead sister. Every time, of course, it turns out the person really is who they say they are. And, after a bit, Emer gets over it and moves on. Until the next time.’

‘You really think that’s what’s happening here?’

‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Robert said. ‘Listen, Dee. When she started up this time, I intervened early. I hired a private detective to investigate the woman thoroughly. Turns out Annie Holden is exactly who she says she is. No surprise there. When I told Emer, I thought she believed me. In fact, I’m pretty sure she did until you called the other night and stirred it all up for her again. I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but it was a bit irresponsible of you. Her mental health is very fragile, and I think this has tipped her over the edge completely.’

Ursula had said something similar about her daughter. Dee wondered why her and Robert were both so keen to portray Emer as someone with mental health problems.

‘She seemed pretty strong to me,’ Dee said, ‘especially considering everything she’s been through.’

‘She’s good at pretending when she wants to be,’ Robert said. ‘But this woman, Annie, she’s not Kitty.’

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘She’s the niece of the couple who adopted her. Her parents died in a car crash when she was eleven. There’s a whole police report on the crash. Fiona and Michael adopted her through the proper channels. I’m happy to share everything with you if you’d like. Although I’ve just remembered – you’re a journalist, aren’t you? You’re not planning to write about any of this, are you?’

Dee’s head was spinning. She had lots of questions she wanted to ask, but he was already speaking again.

‘Emer’s a very mixed up young woman. That’s why I’m so desperate to find her. I’m worried she’s unstable enough to do something stupid.’

Dee didn’t reply, uncomfortable with his insistence on emphasising Emer’s mental health problems. The Emer Dee had met didn’t show any signs of being unstable or at risk of doing something stupid.

Robert frowned.

‘Sorry if you think I’m being indiscreet. I’m worried about her, that’s all. She’s put us through a lot these last few years. It’s hard to start trusting her again. I’ll tell you what, Dee. Can I give you my number, at least? If she gets in touch, maybe you could let me know she’s okay? I know I’m not her real dad, but I love that girl as if she was my own child. I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to her.’