One day at a time. She closed her eyes and slid into a short meditation, focusing on a flower she had in her office vase. It had been one of the most beautiful roses she’d ever seen, dark red with a rich perfume. But it was fading now. It was a reminder that everything passes, good and bad.

The next morning, Donna came storming into the eating area. ‘He’s done it again.’

Jez pushed his scrambled eggs aside, surprised at her vehemence. ‘Who’s done what?’

She slapped a newspaper down on the table. ‘That Talbin creature. He’s been muck-raking. This time it’s Sophie’s daughter. He’s using her now to get at you and her mother. As if she hasn’t enough to bear without him splashing the news all over the papers that she’s been raped. He’s even got a photo of her being wheeled off to hospital, not a good photo, so not his. He must have bought it from some bystander.’

Jez grabbed it and scanned the page. ‘Oh, hell! How could he possibly have found that out?’

‘He must have paid someone.’

‘I wonder if Sophie knows it’s hit the news.’

‘I think someone had better warn her. Want me to go and do it?’

‘No, I will.’

He didn’t wait for Kevin, but snatched up the newspaper cutting and walked through the gardens. The sunny day seemed to mock the darkness that was marring Sophie’s life, the bad news he was taking to her. But it was better if she knew, he was sure of that.

Sophie heard someone knocking on the back door and frowned. No one used that door except Jez and he hadn’t rung to check it was all right to come and see her. If he had, she’d have stopped him.

She went to see who it was, feeling foolish as she detoured to peer through the window first. It was Jez. Her heart lifted to see him, then she heard footsteps and turned to see Andi.

‘I don’t want to see anyone, Mum.’

‘Jez has just popped over from next door. You go back to what you were doing and I’ll see what he wants.’

‘Does he do this often?’

‘He visits me sometimes, yes.’

‘I bet he does!’

‘I don’t like your tone.’

‘And I don’t like to think my mum is screwing around with someone like him.’

‘That’s unfair.’ Sophie pushed past her and opened the door, hoping her anger at her daughter wasn’t showing.

Jez looked from her face to her daughter’s. ‘I know you’d rather not see me, but it’s important – and it’s about you, Andi, so can you please stay?’

Sophie intervened. ‘Come in. Would you like a coffee? And some cake?’

‘If it’s not too much trouble.’

In the kitchen she saw him move towards his usual seat but there was a half-full mug of coffee there, so he moved to another.

Scowling at him, Andi slumped onto the stool and picked up the mug.