Glancing behind her she saw Molly slide her hand into Flora’s.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Izzy wasn’t glad. Right at that moment Izzy hated Flora.

They followed the curve of the drive and there, bathed in sunlight, was Lake Lodge. The front door was almost obscured by a profusion of climbing roses, and Izzy felt her heart beat a little faster because it was all so familiar and yet unfamiliar because this time her mother wasn’t here with them.

She gripped her seat, trying to hold it together. Breathe. Breathe.

She saw the door open, and there was Aunt Clare, wearing a floral dress and a beaming smile, her fine blond hair cut short to frame her face. Behind her was Aiden, slouched against the door frame, his dark hair falling over his eyes.

Her heart beat a little harder.

I love you, Izzy.

Did he still feel that way? Probably not. She’d learned that feelings were strange, unpredictable things.

The moment the car stopped, Molly gave a whoop, unclipped her seat belt and raced across the gravel drive.

“Aunt Clare!”

Aunt Clare scooped her up and swung her round before giving her a massive hug and kiss.

Izzy felt her throat close. She felt vulnerable. Awkward. A thousand years older than the last time she’d been here. Life had seemed so simple then, but it hadn’t been of course. It was just that she’d seen it as simple because she hadn’t known the truth. Now she knew and knowing was like dragging a boulder along behind her.

“Izz?” Her dad was looking at her and she felt panic rising inside her like milk left too long on the heat.

Unless she wanted to handle questions, she needed to move.

She reached for the door but he leaned across and his hand covered hers.

“Are you doing okay? I know this isn’t easy.” He spoke softly. “You’re thinking of Mom, and that’s natural. I guess we all are.”

She was thinking of her mother, but probably not in the way he assumed. The secret she’d been carrying formed a barrier between her and everyone else.

She’d never felt more isolated in her life. “I’m okay, Dad. Really. How are you doing?” It had to be hard on him, too.

“I’m good, and a lot of that is because of you.” He squeezed her hand. “You’ve been a superhero, Izzy. I don’t know what I would have done without you this past year. You’re the best daughter a man could have.”

His words made her eyes sting and her throat close. She knew she wasn’t that, but she didn’t say anything. She wouldn’t have known what to say, particularly as Flora was still sitting in the back seat.