Their eyes met and it took every ounce of Maggie’s self-control not to burst into tears and beg her for forgiveness. But she’d already done that seven months ago and it didn’t work then and, knowing her sister, it wouldn’t now. When Lou put her mind to something she was as stubborn as a grass stain on silk.

‘I’m fine. How are you?’

Jude and Scotty watched the awkward exchange with furrowed brows. It must’ve been as strange to them to see the sisters talk so stiltedly to one another as it was to Maggie.

‘Good. We like living by the sea, don’t we, Mae?’

Maggie’s niece peeped out from behind Lou’s legs, then shot back again.

Seaside life did seem to suit Lou. Her hair, previously in a bob and dyed bright red, was now cropped short and back to its natural blonde, and her face was softer, her skin plumped with rude health. She looked younger, fitter and markedly less weary.

‘How are Mum and Dad?’ asked Maggie.

‘Oh, you know, the usual.’

A wry look of understanding passed between them briefly, the familiarity of which made Maggie ache with sadness.

‘We have to go,’ Lou said to Jude. ‘It’s a long drive.’

‘I don’t want to,’ he said, exhibiting the same stubborn streak as hers.

‘Me neither,’ said Scotty. ‘I want to live in Mansell.’

‘This isn’t your home any more,’ said Lou.

‘I’m not going back!’ yelled Jude.

In the row that ensued no one noticed Mae step out from behind Lou and shuffle across to Maggie. The first she realized was when she felt a tiny hand in hers.

‘Oh, hello, sweetheart,’ she said, smiling down at Mae. ‘Do you remember me now?’ She crouched down and the little girl beamed at her.

‘Aun-tay Maggie!’ she giggled.

‘Jude, enough, we’re going,’ said Lou.

Maggie decided she had to say something, even if it made Lou even angrier with her.

‘Jude’s worried about your fiancé. He’s been threatening to hit him. Scotty and Mae too, by the sound of things.’

Lou’s eyes narrowed. Maggie braced for the onslaught her interference was bound to provoke but instead her sister turned to her kids.

‘Is that true?’ The boys nodded. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘Because we didn’t want you to be sad again,’ said Scotty in a small voice. ‘You were really sad before Terry came to live with us.’

A huge pregnant pause filled the room before Lou punctured it.

‘I like Terry a lot but not as much as I love you three. If that’s what he’s been doing, he can pack his bags and do one.’

Maggie’s surprise must’ve shown. Lou glared at her.

‘What? You don’t think I’d put my kids before a bloke? Been there, done that and I’ll never do it again.’