He shakes his head and sighs. ‘We need to finish that statement,’ he says, raising his eyes before finally turning away. ‘I’d be grateful if you could come into the station later.’

I slam the door shut behind him, clutching Danny’s book to my chest. I can’t do this for much longer, I think, tearing myself away and going back to bed.

Laying the book across my lap, I stare at its cover. It reminds me of the feeling I’d have when I opened my advent calendar. The anticipation of what would be inside. Finally I open the first page. An envelope has been wedged into the spine. Tugging it free, I reach inside and pull out a letter.

Dear Stella

I want you to have this book. Do with it what you like – burn it if you want – but there might be a part of you that wants to look. You were always begging me to when we were kids!

There was a time I wanted it back more than anything, but the cost of that became too great. I haven’t even been able to look inside because I know I’ll see memories of a summer I’ve spent my life trying to forget.

When Mum came into my bedroom and told me Iona was alright, I knew she was hiding something. I saw it behind her eyes – you always told me I was good at reading people. The next day they told us we were leaving but I never believed Iona could be dead. My fifteen-year-old brain thought she’d threatened us and Mum panicked.

Mum gave up everything to keep me safe and it was too much of a burden for me. After seven years I couldn’t do it any more and had to get away, start afresh. I hated seeing you beg Mum to take us back when I knew she never would and I blamed myself for everything, including Dad leaving.

But before that summer we were happy, weren’t we, Stella? We did have a great life on Evergreen, and what’s happened will never change that.

I’m also happy in Scotland now, it’s where I want to be, but if I let myself acknowledge it there’s one thing missing, and that’s you. I miss you, Stella. I miss the feeling of knowing you were by my side in the treehouse.

I’d like it if we could write to each other and maybe, one day, you might come up and visit.

Danny

Tears stream down my cheeks as I press my brother’s note against my chest. No matter the distance between us, we will be forever tied together. ‘Yes, Danny,’ I say, ‘I would like that very much too.’

Chapter Thirty-Seven

‘It’s good to see you,’ I smile when Bonnie turns up. ‘I’ve missed you.’