‘Yes, I watched it on the ten o’clock news.’ She flicked on the kettle and put a teabag into her favourite mug, one that Frankie had – with some help – decorated for her at one of those paint your own pottery places. Her hand trembled as she added sugar, feeling the need for the sweetness. ‘It was awful. Isabel’s poor parents. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.’

Although she could.

‘Do either of you want tea?’ she asked, but both girls shook their heads. ‘It was weird, hearing our statement read out. I’m glad they didn’t show our pictures though – or worse, ask us to read it out ourselves. They showed that photo of Frankie. And one of Liam O’Connell. I thought that detective did a pretty good job.’

‘John Lennon,’ said Alice, and immediately corrected herself. ‘No, Patrick, isn’t it? I was thinking of the Beatles.’

Helen managed a brief laugh. ‘He’s coming over this morning. He wants to talk to me and Sean again.’ She tried to keep her tone neutral, aware of the dangerous ground she was now treading. ‘Might be helpful if you could stick around, Ali, just in case . . .’

She tensed, waiting for the next instalment of yesterday’s outburst, but Alice merely looked at Georgia. ‘Don’t think I can come to Kingston with you then, if I have to stay here. Go without me. Say hi to the others.’

‘Are you sure, babe? We could go tomorrow instead?’

‘Nah. Not really in the mood for shopping anyway.’

Helen felt relief swoosh through her. She made the tea, turning briefly away so the girls couldn’t see her face.

‘Have you finished all your exams, Georgia?’ she asked, taking her steaming mug across and sitting down next to Alice at the table.

Georgia nodded. ‘Yeah. Glad I’m not doing Drama, otherwise I’d still have one to go, like poor old Alice.’

‘I won’t have to do it though, will I, Helen?’ Alice asked anxiously. ‘The school said they’d put in for mitigating circumstances. I don’t care about Drama anyway, I’m shit at acting. I only took it ’cos I thought it would be easy, but it isn’t.’

Helen sighed ‘Well, I’d say these counted as Mit Circs, yes.’

Alice brightened. ‘In that case, I’ve finished my GCSEs!’ An expression of half-guilt, half-delight flashed across her face, making her look sly.

Helen had to bite the inside of her cheek hard to prevent herself making an extremely snide comment. The doorbell rang, and she groaned. ‘Don’t tell me he’s here already . . . Ali, please could you get that? I’m not dressed.’

Alice slouched with bad grace to the front door. She objected on principle to doing anything that Helen asked her to do.