At Connor’s request, Suki and Claire returned to England. Claire was reluctant, but finally she agreed to meet up with him at the place he suggested. When they got to the campsite by taxi, he was waiting there in the black Porsche. The guard dogs were already out, baying. Trace Milo came down the steps of her parents’ old van and called them off. Connor got out of his car and walked over to her. Claire and Suki got out of their taxi and joined Connor.

Claire looked uncertain as she came face to face with her sister after so many years. Trace stood and stared at her for a long, long time. Then Claire started to smile and so did Trace, and suddenly both sisters were crying and laughing. They ran forward and hugged each other.

‘Fuck it, where the hell have you been?’ Trace gasped out. She pushed Claire back a step and looked at her, smoothing her hands over her sister’s face in wonderment. ‘Jesus, you’ve got older!’

‘Well, so have you,’ said Claire with a laugh, sniffing back tears. ‘Oh, Trace – it’s so good to see you.’

Trace turned and hollered: ‘Dad! Come out here!’

In the doorway of the van appeared an old man, bent over, a stick in his hand. His eyes were squinting against the daylight, and he was shabbily dressed. He stared down at Trace and at the woman with her, and blinked like he couldn’t be sure of what he was seeing.

‘Claire . . . ?’ he said shakily.

Claire detached herself from Trace and slowly walked over to the van. She was crying hard now, finding it difficult to speak. ‘It’s me, Dad. It’s Claire. I’m back,’ she sobbed out.

‘Is it really you?’ Pally was hobbling down the steps.

Claire nodded, unable to say more. Her father came close. Then closer. Slowly, trembling, he spread his arms wide and Claire fell into them, crushing him against her. ‘Oh Dad,’ she cried. ‘I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.’

‘Nor me.’ Pally drew back and kissed her cheek. ‘My little girl, my Claire.’

Connor and Suki stood side by side, watching all this. Suddenly Trace turned to them, glancing between the two of them. Her eyes fastened on Suki. Trace swiped at her eyes, swallowed hard and said: ‘And who’s this then?’

‘This is Suki,’ said Connor. ‘Claire’s daughter.’

‘You wha—’ Trace looked gobsmacked. She stared at Suki and then she ran up and enfolded her in her arms. ‘Christ! I’m an auntie! I’m your Auntie Trace!’

‘A daughter?’ Pally had heard what they were saying. He pushed Claire gently away, his eyes on Suki. Then he looked back at Claire. ‘You had a child. I have a grandchild.’ He was shaking his head. ‘I should have known, I should have been told. Ah Jesus, if only my poor Eva had lived to see this.’