I crashed down the stairs and sat on one of the kitchen chairs, panting. I flipped open my laptop, logged into my bank account and cancelled the cheque. Then deadlocked the front door and put the chain on, and let myself and Hamlet out of the back. Dad wouldn’t be coming into my house ever again.

Mum’s car was parked in the wide road outside Hannah’s.

I grabbed Hamlet’s carrier, which felt heavier each time I picked it up, and staggered up the ramp to Hannah’s front door. It was flung open as I arrived. Mum.

‘Oh, love,’ she said.

I put Hamlet’s case down and she folded me into a hug. I stood for a moment in her arms, then pulled away, shut the door, and released Hamlet from his carrier.

‘Come to the kitchen,’ Mum said.

A mug of tea was already on the table for me. Hannah sat by the window. I went over and gave her a rough hug, then sat at the table with Mum.

Hamlet came trundling through and jumped onto Hannah’s knee. ‘Aw, he’s such a sweetie,’ she said, as he disgorged hair onto her black trousers. She looked up at me. ‘Are you okay? Your mum told me about your dad. She wanted to see you.’

I wiped my eyes, determined not to be upset any more. He wasn’t worth it. ‘Yes, he got me,’ I said. ‘How can he be such a fucker?’

‘Did he ask you for money?’ Mum said gently.

I nodded. ‘For his made-up charity. Last night when I was vulnerable. Someone tried to hurt Hamlet.’

Hannah leaned forward and rubbed under Hamlet’s chin. ‘Who would hurt little Hammy?’

‘Well, I must admit I was tempted on the way over. He’s practically shattered my eardrums. But anyway, no, it’s those deranged Justice for Violet bastards. They loathe me. It’s such a mess. And I need to get to work.’

‘You can take time for a cup of tea,’ Mum said. ‘You’ve had a lot to cope with.’

‘I think it’s upset me more than I realised,’ I said. ‘They’ve been posting all this stuff about me. Saying I was promoted too fast because I’m a woman. Saying I’m incompetent and corrupt and don’t want to catch Violet’s killer because I’m a vegetarian.’

‘What a load of nonsense!’ Mum snapped.

‘I know it’s nonsense,’ I said. ‘But it’s … horrible. It feels like a bunch of strangers have walked up to me on the street and kicked me in the face. I try not to take any notice, but … And now this with Dad. Maybe I was blind to him because I had so much else going on, and I so wanted him to be a good person.’