‘Is that it? No explanation? Why did you go there? I thought you were dead. Drowned.’ She shivers, pulls a cardigan from the back of the chair and wraps it around her shoulders.

‘I had to get away.’

‘What for?’ The dogs are scratching at the utility door.

‘Why don’t you let them out?’

‘Answer my question.’ She opens the back door so she can breathe. The rainfall has softened into a mist and an earthy smell wafts in.

‘I couldn’t cope after losing Chloe.’ Max’s shoulders hunch over.

‘Was it really you on that bridge?’ Sparks fly in front of her eyes.

He looks more through her than at her and rakes his wet hair, lost in his own thoughts.

‘Did you fall?’ She needs to know.

He tips his head up, but after a moment, drops his gaze. ‘I’m in a lot of debt. I was struggling. The whole partnership with John… it didn’t work out.’

‘You were never in business together, were you?’

Max’s fingers burrow deeper into his hair. He turns his face away and shakes his head slowly.

‘So, where’s my money?’ Her voice sounds like her mother’s.

He looks down and rubs his thumb over the letter A on his wrist.

‘Gone.’

‘Just like that?’ She takes two glasses out of the cupboard and pours a slug of whiskey into each.

‘You’ve moved things round,’ he says, following her into the living room, ‘and your hair looks different.’

‘I fancied a change.’

‘I thought your bump would be out here by now.’ He looks at her as though for the first time.

She hands him the drink and they sit down. The silence curdles. She watches his eyes narrow as he considers the sofa pushed against the back wall instead of across the room, the new plain rug and the pictures on the walls in different positions. Max knocks back his drink in one. He picks up the picture of Chloe and Emily from the shelf.

‘How’s Emily been?’ he asks.

‘Don’t pretend you care,’ she snaps. ‘You should have been here for her.’

‘I’m sorry.’ He puts the picture back, but he stays facing the wall, head down. ‘There’s something I need to tell you, Maddy. I should have told you a long time ago.’

‘Mummy.’ Emily appears in the doorway, giving them both a start.

‘Darling, what are you doing down here?’ Maddy asks.

Emily’s eyes brighten. ‘Daddy!’ She embraces Max with open arms, squeezing him with all her might.

‘I’ve missed you so much.’ He kneels in front of her, examining her face, pushing her tears aside with his thumbs. He kisses her forehead and hugs her again.

‘Where’ve you been?’ Emily asks.

‘Daddy’s not been well.’ Maddy stands over them, stroking Emily’s hair.

Emily links her hand with Max’s and swings them back and forth.