‘No,’ Maria said adamantly, twisting round to face Iona. ‘This young girl’s parents refused to have anything to do with her after she got pregnant. She’d lost everything and she was desperate. She was living in a bedsit and she thought …’ Maria paused. ‘She believed the only way through it was to start again. On her own.

‘I know what we did might not have been legal, but Bonnie would have been put into foster care and I saw what some of those places were like when I went with my mum. I also knew our money would do much more for that girl than any other so-called support. So actually – actually, my conscience was clear. Bonnie’s birth mother straightened herself out with what we gave her.’

‘Unlike mine,’ Iona said solemnly. ‘So, who is my sister then?’

‘I don’t know,’ Maria said faintly. ‘I don’t know anything about your sister.’ This was of course a lie, but Maria wouldn’t tell her the truth.

Iona let out a sigh and turned away. ‘So she might never have been brought to this island? She could be anywhere.’

‘She could be, yes.’

A part of Maria’s heart fractured at the thought that the sister Iona was looking for was within grasping distance. But she needed Iona to leave. If Bob had been told who Iona was searching for, she wasn’t safe.

‘I’m so sorry about what you’ve been through, but there’s nothing on this island for you,’ Maria said. ‘I think it’s best you don’t stay any longer.’

‘So that I don’t tell anyone?’ Iona turned to her. ‘Is that what you’re afraid of?’

‘We can make sure you’re alright,’ Maria went on.

‘You mean pay me off?’

‘We can help.’

Iona laughed. ‘You think I’m here for money?’

‘No, I can’t give you what you’re here for. But I do think money could give you a new start. Don’t you?’

‘So I just go now, do I?’ Iona smirked as if the idea were ludicrous.

‘First thing in the morning,’ Maria said. ‘I think you should say goodbye to Bonnie. Tell her you’ve got a sick aunt who needs you urgently. David will take you to the mainland at eight.’ Maria leant over and clasped her hands around Iona’s. ‘We’ll get your money for you then, but I’m begging you not to say anything to her. I promise we can help you.’

Maria’s heart thumped an unsteady beat as she waited for Iona to refuse.

‘Fine. I’ll be there.’

Maria’s eyes widened as she nodded. ‘Great. Okay. Good,’ she said as she let go of Iona’s hands and stood, all the while tearing herself into little pieces. It wasn’t right to deny Iona her sister, but what else could she do?