She waited outside while Denise settled Marjorie in a bed and examined her. She heard her scream out a little. A lot had happened since she’d entered the furniture store. She realised that Davey and Marjorie loved her and she knew things were going to change. She knew she’d never have to see Trevor again and Davey was too far away to kill him, but he’d be found out and he’d lose his job and maybe even his wife and his kids and she was glad. Screw you, Trevor, she thought. You messed with the wrong girl.

Juliet wouldn’t be Davey’s whole world anymore, but that was OK because he wouldn’t be hers either; she would have Marjorie and a kind of half-sister or brother slash cousin. She’d have school, and maybe even friends. In truth, even with the best of intentions, they weren’t enough for one another. Her mother would have wanted this for her. Marjorie wanted her! She understood her. She wasn’t alone.

‘You can go in,’ Denise said as she walked out of the room.

‘Where are you going?’ Juliet said.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back.’

‘But the baby’s coming!’

‘Don’t worry, plenty of time yet,’ she said.

Juliet walked into the room. ‘I don’t think she’s taking this seriously,’ she said, and Marjorie laughed.

‘I’m fine, Juliet. Everything’s fine.’

Juliet poured Marjorie a glass of water. ‘You should stay hydrated.’

Marjorie took a sip and handed it back. ‘I was going to get my hair and nails done and a wax.’

‘You look lovely.’

‘I look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.’

‘Still lovely.’

Davey rang from the road. ‘Still in traffic, how’s everything going?’

‘We’ve landed safely, she’s been seen, they say there’s plenty of time so don’t die on the way,’ Juliet said, and handed the phone to Marjorie.

‘I’m having the baby, Davey. Can you believe it?’ she said, and she was crying.

Juliet couldn’t hear what Davey said but Marjorie was beaming. She hung up the phone and handed it to Juliet.

‘Are you scared?’ Juliet said.

‘I’m terrified,’ Marjorie said, and she took Juliet’s hand in hers. ‘But I’ve got you and Davey on my side.’

‘And me gran, granda, Grace, Lenny, the boys and your ma . . .’ Juliet said. It was overwhelming; poor Marjorie was in tears. She bit her lip. ‘And my ma. Even though she’s dead, you still have her.’

‘Are you scared, Juliet?’

‘Nah, I’ve been through way worse than this,’ she said. ‘This is the good stuff, Marj.’

Marjorie reached for a hug. Juliet snuggled in. Marjorie grabbed her by the hair and pulled. ‘HOLY SAINT JESUS . . .’

Juliet calmed her down. ‘Let go, Marjorie.’

She let go and Juliet disentangled herself.