‘My hatred for you and your family has lessened since I was first framed,’ Billy said. ‘I can’t say I don’t resent you, though. I still think “why me?” – that bothers me now as much as it did then. Although I think I’ve put all the pieces together, I’d still like to hear your side. Hear the reason why you and Muriel chose me. What I’d done that was so wrong you were happy to watch me go down for something I wasn’t guilty of. But, as I have explained to your wife, daughter and the others – I’m not the bad one. Thirty years of self-reflection, deciding what was important and what wasn’t, made me evaluate things differently. There’s something to be said for being selfless, Eric. Isn’t there?’

A look passed between them that Lizzie couldn’t read. Eric’s face flushed, and he became flustered.

‘I’ll take you to her,’ Eric said, jumping to his feet. ‘Do you want to do it now?’

‘In a while,’ Billy said.

Lizzie exchanged a worried look with Anna. It was clear that Billy had something more he wanted to say. Lizzie saw Anna lurch forwards.

‘Look. I know what he did was absolutely heinous, and you suffered for that, Billy. But you said you weren’t going to hurt anyone—’

‘But I still have some unfinished business …’ Billy said. His voice was soft, yet managed to sound menacing. Lizzie looked from him to Eric.

‘Please, Billy, no.’ Eric put his hands together, prayer-like. ‘There’s no need.’

‘God, Billy. Wait!’ Anna shouted. ‘You can’t hurt him, you promised.’

‘I’m. Not. Going. To,’ Billy said slowly, swinging around to face Anna. ‘I know he was doing what he felt he had to do.’

‘What do you mean?’ Anna said, her brow creased.

‘If I’d had the opportunity to fight for my daughter, I’d have done it in the blink of an eye,’ Billy said. ‘I understand why he did it, but I can’t forgive him. Tina knows too. But we’ve made our peace with the lies.’ He faced Eric. ‘As long as you can give her what she wants – I’ll give you what you want.’

Eric gave a nod of his head.

‘What the hell are you talking about?’ Anna said.

Eric gave a loud, juddering sigh. ‘Sit down, Anna,’ he said. ‘Oh, dear God. This is something I never, ever, wanted to tell you.’

‘No, no, no!’ Muriel surged towards Eric; her fists held high. Lizzie watched in astonishment as Muriel showered punches on Eric’s chest.

‘Enough! Mum, for Christ’s sake,’ Anna said, pulling at Muriel’s arms, forcing them down to her sides. ‘What is happening here?’ Anna looked directly at Eric.

‘You didn’t mean to hurt her,’ Eric said, his voice quivering as tears spilled over his cheeks.

Lizzie’s mouth dropped. She shot Billy a questioning look. He obviously hadn’t told her everything. Billy Cawley had held this last piece of the puzzle back from her – back from everyone who’d been gathered at the bungalow a few hours ago. He’d been waiting for Eric Fisher to slot it in.