Slowly I get out of the car, into Danny’s embrace. Holding me close, his tears sliding down the side of my neck, he says, ‘It will be all over soon. Do it for Dad,’

‘Dad,’ I say, pulling back out of his arms.

‘Dad doesn’t know. Remember?’

‘Are you sure? How do you know that, Danny?’

‘He doesn’t, Becca, believe me. Just hold it together for now.’ Putting his hand on my back, he urges me to walk inside.

‘But what about the newspapers under his bed, Danny?’ I say.

Danny doesn’t answer, too busy hurrying me along. ‘Newspapers about Katie Collins,’ I say.

‘He was concerned about your safety after the body was found in Treehill Park. He said it could have been you. That’s probably what sparked his interest in the story, Becca. Concern for you.’

‘And why did you tell me to stay away from Katie Collins? You knew, didn’t you? You knew from the start. Did you take the note, Danny?’

‘What note?’

‘Did you kill her, Danny?’

He stops. Steps in front of me.

‘No, Becca. I did not kill Katie Collins. And I know nothing about a note.’

He puts his hand on my arm to lead me into the hospital. I flinch beneath his touch and pull away.

‘How can you be so sure Dad doesn’t know?’

‘He doesn’t Becca, believe me.’

‘Believe you?’ I don’t know what to believe anymore. Maybe Dad does know, and Danny is lying in the hope I’ll keep the peace for the next few mournful days. What’s another lie?

Sister, my sister. Katie Collins is my sister. Memories flash through my mind like scenes from a movie trailer. The woman in the bar: You look like her. Turner’s eyes fixed on my face the first time she saw me. The blood results, the coat. Bert. I’ve been tossed into the middle of an emotional tornado, thoughts swirling around destroying every memory in its path. I need to get out of here.

Danny is doing his best to keep me calm. He must be afraid I’ll run away. I want to, I want to get out of here. This is not my mom; this is the woman who abducted me. For some reason my body follows Danny as far as the door. The door I passed through so many times, my heart broken, my happiness on hold. Then I bolt. Run away from Danny as fast as I can. I don’t even know where I’m going.

When I get out onto the street it’s empty. Which way to go? Streetlights make shadows dance through the oak trees lining the walkway. My heart is racing. What do I do now? Where do I go? I’ve no car, no money. Jeff, I’ll ring Jeff.

He answers straight away.