‘I’ve made a start with meals, taking Joan to visit her mother – trusted, DBS-checked people only, but hopefully we won’t need that one for long. Cleaning, washing, shopping. Is there anything else you need? Would it be useful to have some people walk Nesbit?’

‘I don’t… I’m not sure what… are you making rotas for people to help me?’

‘Well, of course. You’re the one doing all the work.’

‘Listen, that’s very kind of you, and I do appreciate it, but I really don’t need any help. I’m the one helping Leanne. Once she’s discharged, I suppose someone else could chip in with some meals for her, but I’m fine.’

Pia actually laughed. She tried to hide it, but her face was like a pane of glass. ‘My dear, everyone needs help. That’s how life works.’

‘I’m actually kind of trying to manage without, at the moment. It’s complicated – family history, past issues, that sort of thing, but it’s important that I see this through on my own.’

‘Ollie, I have just been inside your kitchen. I’ve never drunk black tea in my life, but when I tried to add milk it plopped out in a perfect cube. Your trousers are on inside out. I’m pretty sure your dog has eaten a packet of crackers and vomited it back up again. You need help. We all need help, all the time. That’s why I pay for a cleaner and have just spent the week driving my grandchildren about. But sometimes, we need more help than others. This is one of those times.’

I shook my head. I had spent too many years being organised and bossed about and told that I couldn’t manage on my own, and all those memories were on red alert, determined not to let this pushy woman push her way into my home and my life and start controlling it.

Pia narrowed one eye. ‘I heard that social services are assessing the best options for Joan. Do you think you can convince them that you can provide her with the best possible care, like this? Insisting that you do it on your own?’

Ooof!

She might as well have punched me in the face.

I took a moment to recover, my conversation with Steph echoing amongst the frustration and anxiety. I glanced down at my trousers, which were indeed inside out.