‘How wonderful. I can imagine you doing exactly that,’ she smiles. ‘You were always so caring about everyone. And how is your sister?’

I tell her that Bonnie is married with two boys she idolises, but not that every time I see my sister I nervously watch her for signs she might be teetering on the edge of having a drink. Thinking of my sister reminds me that I still haven’t spoken to her or told her where I am.

I glance over at Annie’s telephone perched on the windowsill, wondering whether I should ask to borrow it, when she carries on, ‘The day your parents arrived on the island, Bonnie screamed her head off like she was determined she wasn’t going to like it here.’ She pauses. ‘I’m glad she’s finally happy. And how about your father?’

‘Well, Dad moved away,’ I start. My eyes flit from her gaze as I fumble with the handle of my mug.

‘I realise he left, love,’ Annie says. ‘Your mum wrote to me at the time. But do you see him much? Is he still with the other woman?’

‘Olivia. Yes. Somehow they’re still together, and no, I don’t see him as much as I’d like.’ I let out a deep breath. Her eyes crease as she regards me, waiting for me to tell her more, but instead I say, ‘I didn’t know you were still in touch with Mum?’

‘We weren’t really. Only if there was something important. She sent me a long letter telling me your father had gone. I think she was more upset about his choice of woman than the act.’

‘Seriously?’

‘I’m being flippant.’ Annie waves a hand dismissively. ‘And what about your brother?’ she asks, and I wonder why Mum didn’t consider Danny’s leaving important enough to mention.

‘Danny went too. We lost touch with him, but I think it’s the way Danny wanted it.’

‘He never came back?’ Annie leans away and turns her attention to the garden again. So, Mum had told her.

‘Things didn’t turn out well,’ I say as we fall into a burdened silence.

Eventually Annie murmurs, ‘But now you’re here again. And like I say, this isn’t a good time. As lovely as it is to see you, Stella.’ She stops and shakes her head as she turns back to face me. ‘You should return when all this has died down. When everyone …’ she pauses, searching for the right words ‘… when everything’s back to normal.’

I drain my tea and place my mug on the table, carefully pushing it aside. ‘Annie, Mum really loved it here, didn’t she?’

Annie cocks her head to one side.

‘I know she never wanted to be anywhere else.’

She fidgets in her chair but doesn’t answer.

‘What I don’t get is that she suddenly let him take us away.’