‘I’ve got a caravan. It’s on a farmer’s land on the outskirts of Bovey Tracey. Close enough to secretly visit Rosie’s grave, but far enough to keep within my restrictions.’

Lizzie didn’t like the sound of it. Too remote to be on her own with Billy Cawley. Whilst she had the overwhelming feeling there was more to what had happened than had ever been told, she also believed there was no smoke without fire. He might not be responsible for the murder of Jonie Hayes, but he might still be responsible for the abuse she’d been told she’d suffered as a child. She couldn’t put too much trust in him.

‘I’m staying at Bulleigh Barton B&B. It’s a little way—’

‘Yes, I know of it.’ He took a moment to mull it over, then agreed to meet the following day after he’d reported in with his probation officer. Lizzie watched as he left, then took the opposite path and quickly got in her car and drove off.

She’d met her father. After thirty years. For the moment, Lizzie didn’t quite know how to feel about it. And a nagging feeling tugging on her insides told her she might have made a huge mistake letting him into her life again.

Chapter Fifty-One

1989

Brook Cottage Store

Tuesday 20th June – 29 days before

‘Can I go and play with Eliza?’

‘Robert Andrews, what have I told you about coming into the shop when Mummy’s working?’

‘Dad’s not home yet,’ he said, as though that should answer the question.

‘Hang on there a second, please. Wait until I’ve finished serving Mrs Fisher.’

Robert did as he was asked, stepping away from the counter. He pressed his back against the newspaper stand so he was out of the way and he stood still, straining to hear what Mrs Fisher was whispering to his mum. He heard ‘not a good idea’, but that was all. Grown-ups were weird. He eyed the shelf of penny sweets opposite, and decided while he waited he’d get a selection for him and Eliza to share. He picked out some sherbet flying saucers, dropping them into the white paper bag. Then added some fizzy cola bottles, his absolute fave, and some fried eggs. He was about to pop in a candy lipstick for Eliza when his mother shouted for him. He quickly shoved them in, hid the bag behind his back, and went back to the counter.

‘I’m sorry, love,’ his mother said looking at him, her head to one side. Robert knew it was going to be a ‘no’.

‘Why not?’ His voice came out like a girly whine. He looked down at the floor.

‘It’s just not a good idea at the moment. You know she lost her mummy not very long ago …’

‘I know. We had an assembly about it.’ Robert looked up to Nell, his expression thoughtful. ‘Which is why it is a good idea, Mum. It can be “a very lonely time” – it’s important she has friends to help her.’ Robert watched his mother’s face intently. Tears shone brightly in her eyes, but they didn’t fall out.