Was she … was she trying to tell me something? That look in her eyes … she hadn’t looked at me like that since … since the very first time we ever made love. A man could live fully and die happy within that one look. Dread took root and mushroomed inside me. If it were for anyone else but Libby and Troy, I would’ve taken Callie by the hand, got back in my car and driven us the hell out of there. Callie and I had rarely felt closer than at that moment and I was loving it. So much so that my guts had turned to water at the thought of Callie and Eva being in the same room together. Eva knew enough to ensure that Callie never again looked at me except with utter contempt.

‘I have faith in you,’ Callie told me with a smile.

I stepped forward just as Callie did – and we kissed again. This time a kiss that could restart my heart should it stop beating. We clung to each other, pouring our hopes, our yearning, our very souls into it. When at last we came up for air, I felt like I’d been drowning, but – dear God – I wanted to drown again and again.

‘Callie—’

‘We should go in,’ she said, gently pulling her hand away from mine.

I nodded. ‘This isn’t over.’

She slowly smiled. ‘No, it isn’t. When this is through, you and I have a lot to talk about and a lot of wasted years to make up for, but for now let’s go speak to Eva.’

Simple words that lifted me up only to slam me back down to earth. This was it. The moment of truth had arrived. Eva was about to ruin my life and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it.

fifty-four. Sephy

‘Mum? What on earth are you doing here?’

I shook my head. This was not the time. ‘Not now, Callie.’

‘Callie Rose, how lovely to meet you in person at long last,’ said Eva, playing the gracious host. ‘Please take a seat.’

Callie headed for the sofa furthest away from Eva. Tobey sat beside her without saying a word.

‘Hello, Tobey.’

‘Hello, Mrs Ealing,’ said Tobey, his tone sombre.

We regarded each other for a moment or two. Tobey’s unblinking gaze as he looked at me was entirely wretched, like the bottom was about to fall out of his world. What had he done? My gaze moved to my daughter. No hurt. No angst. Callie merely looked puzzled.

‘Well now, isn’t this cosy? I’ve never been so popular.’ Eva looked round the room, a wry smile tugging at her lips. She stood up and poured herself a glass of something amber from a decanter on a shelf behind her. ‘I’d offer this round,’ she said, ‘but why waste the good stuff?’