‘My money’s never been controlled by William.’

‘I know. But that’s not for lack of trying on his part. He’s always on at you to spend less – don’t tell me he isn’t, I’ve heard him – and he freaked out when you bought this big house.’

‘You can’t know that.’

‘Oh, can’t I! I’ve heard him sounding off to Kerry about it and I’ve also overheard my dear sister-in-law wondering what you’ll be worth when you die and consoling him with the thought that the house will be increasing in value.’

‘You have?’

‘’Fraid so.’

‘But he’s earning enough to support them in comfort. He doesn’t need my money.’

‘He’ll never earn enough money to suit Kerry. She’s a greedy bitch and you got her hopes up when you developed breast cancer.’

Sophie sighed. ‘I’ve tried to like her.’

‘I tried too at first. I don’t try any more, so you don’t need to pretend when you’re talking to me.’

‘But she’s still family.’

‘Well, she doesn’t feel like it. She hasn’t tried to like us or even to get to know us properly. All she wants to do is control people. She and Willi are a matched pair where that’s concerned. So … you’ll let me listen in when you tell them, won’t you? Pretty please? It’ll so cheer me up.’

Sophie laughed. ‘All right. But I’m not telling them yet. I’m too happy and I don’t want anything to spoil it. I’ll – um, keep you updated on our plans. Oh, and I nearly forgot. Donna got you an appointment with that counsellor this afternoon. Do you want me to go with you?’

‘No, thanks.’ Andi held up one hand. ‘I’m grateful, I really am, but I’ll do that myself. And I’ll pay my own taxi fares, too, though I’ll have to let you pay for the sessions, I’m afraid.’

‘I’m happy to. It’s so important.’

Andi went to put her things away, then walked to her bedroom window, feeling restless. She’d been out overnight and come back safely, but she’d felt a bit wobbly and nervous sitting alone in the back of the taxi going there. How dumb was that? It was a good thing she was seeing the counsellor today. She didn’t want to feel like this for ever, because that would mean he had won.

She hadn’t told her mother, but since it had happened, she felt afraid every time it grew dark. She couldn’t help it, just – couldn’t. No amount of reasoning with herself lessened the fear.

And she was never going into a club again as long as she lived. Never, ever.

Chapter Eighteen

Gail hitched a ride down to London, or rather three rides. She smiled and chatted to the various drivers, letting one of them buy her a cup of coffee at a motorway services, and trying to hide it when she got shaky with the need for a drink.

The final driver dropped her near a Tube station and she went to study the map on the wall to work out how to get to the address where Tom had her children locked away from her. She didn’t know what she was going to do when she got there, only that she had to find him and take her children back.