‘So, a barbie will give you something to do, then, won’t it; something to look forward to. You can be in charge of the music, get a playlist together, and let the King of the Barbies do his magic.’

Jonie smiled.

‘Oh, my goodness, be careful, honey,’ Mark said, rushing over to her, placing his hands either side of her face and squeezing. ‘You almost cracked it then.’

‘Ha. Ha. Very funny.’ Jonie pulled away from him. ‘And King of the Barbie dolls is more you, Dad.’ She poked out her tongue and skipped out of the back door.

‘Where are you going now?’ Tina shouted after her.

‘Dunno. Out to see who’s around.’

Tina looked at the wall clock, then sighed, looking to Mark for his input.

‘It’s only five o’clock, not too late?’ he said, as a question, putting the onus of the decision back onto Tina.

‘I suppose it’s fine for her to go out and play for a couple of hours, although it is a school night.’ Her face showed concern. She ran to the back door. ‘Be back at seven, on the dot, please!’ Tina shouted in the direction of Jonie’s disappearing form as she ran out of view behind the wall. ‘Do you think she’s okay, Mark?’ Her brow was creased as she walked back in and leant against the worktop.

‘A bit moody, but otherwise just our sweet, charming daughter.’ He laughed.

‘Seriously, though, I’m worried. She’s so snappy, irritable. You joked about it being the time of the month, but maybe you’re right – she’s becoming hormonal.’

‘Bit early, isn’t it?’

‘Not necessarily. I got my first period when I was at primary school.’

‘Maybe time for a mother–daughter chat, then.’

‘Yeah, if I can pin her down. She makes any excuse to be out of the house, and when she’s here, she shuts herself away, playing music as loud as she can get away with. I wonder if she’s fallen out with Bella, or another friend.’

‘At her age, it’s bound to happen. Kids fall in and out of friendships daily, don’t they? Especially girls.’

‘Sexist pig,’ Tina said, shaking her head in mock exasperation.

‘True though, babe. Just sayin’. Us males don’t appear to have that problem.’

‘I beg to differ.’

‘Oh, well, there are always exceptions. That freak, Billy Cawley, for one. He’s mega weird now; he must’ve been like it as a kid.’

‘Don’t be so mean. If he had a difficult time when he was growing up, it would explain why he’s not interested in bonding with you lot now, as an adult. I mean, it is slim pickings in this village – perhaps he just dislikes you all. Being a loner doesn’t make you weird, Mark.’

‘Oh, right. And that’s what you ladies have been chatting about at the Mapledon Meetings, is it? How he’s not weird at all, just misunderstood, or some such twaddle.’

‘Actually, I’m a little fed up with everyone’s attitudes towards Billy, and I don’t join in with the discussions about him. In fact, after the last meeting, I might not bother even going again.’