‘We’ll see them often, sweetie, they can come and stay in the holidays whenever you like. And you’ll make new ones.’

Izzy doesn’t reply. Melissa busies herself putting the pot of potatoes on the stove and clearing out the sink. ‘We’re stronger now, we’ll manage, you’ll see. Lina’s coming too.’ She turns to smile at her daughter but Izzy isn’t there. The door to the garden is open. Through the window she sees her approach Eve and take Sorrel’s other hand. Melissa’s are full of wet peelings, soft and already disintegrating. It’s natural Izzy would want to stay in familiar surroundings. She does too – she dreads leaving Eve and Grace – but Izzy’s safety has to come first. If Paul gets out, Eve’s house is the first place he would look. She puts the peelings in the bin and shuts the lid firmly.

Later Melly unscrews a bottle of wine. Eric is doing his accounts. The girls have gone to bed. She pours out two glasses.

‘I should say no,’ Eve picks up her wine. ‘But I find I can’t.’

‘Just one glass, sweetie, surely it won’t hurt.’

‘I meant your invitation, Izzy passed it on.’ Eve looks happier than she’s done for months. ‘Darling Melly, it would be perfect.’

‘My invitation?’

‘It’s come at just the right moment; I hadn’t realized how much I needed to get away.’

Eve is smiling as she continues but her eyes are full of tears. ‘When I’m in the kitchen, I see Ash running towards the door. Sometimes I hear him in the garden calling to Noah. I’ll think if I’m quick I’ll be in time to stop him. I find myself standing in front of the paddock gate to bar his way. What happened fills my mind, day and night. It’s not fair on the girls.’ She stares out of the window as if, even now, she can see her little son in the dark running across the grass towards the paddock with the dog. ‘In a different place, the good memories might have a chance to come back instead.’

Izzy’s been kind, more thoughtful than she was; she understood exactly what Eve needed, what they owe her. She puts her arm round Eve and hugs her. Eve gave them a home when they needed it, despite what Paul did to Sorrel; a less generous woman might have simply turned her back. It’s time she repaid Eve’s friendship, it’s the least she can do.

She draws back and smiles warmly into Eve’s eyes. ‘That’s wonderful news. Eric’s invited, of course, he’d love the garden. I’ll ask Grace too; we should all go.’