Visits to the unit are allowed weekly, more often once Izzy settles. Izzy’s key worker told Melissa Paul had been informed and wanted to see her, but Izzy refused. Melissa watches the man’s face as the couple walk past her, the love in his eyes. He looks kind, which is everything. The little baby will have a kind, loving father. Paul hadn’t abused his daughter as it turned out, but he’d possessed her all the same, while ruthlessly excluding his wife. He’d dominated them both and manipulated their lives. Izzy’s rejection must have been hard for a man with his pathological need to control. For the first time ever, Melissa feels almost sorry for him. He’s been released on bail with conditions, pending a retrial for marital rape; the case isn’t due for several months. Melly needs the time to gather strength.

Lina reappears, dressed and still holding the photo; Melissa looks at her watch. ‘We’ve got lots of time before school’s out. It’s a sunny day, let’s go into town and find a cup of tea. We could go round the cathedral.’

Later they are walking round the ancient cloisters. It might have been something to do with the peace of the place, the way you can rely on time to make things right in the end. She is thinking about this and about Eve when Lina’s gentle voice breaks across the bird-filled quietness.

‘I wonder if she will look like her father.’ Lina’s tone is interested. ‘I wish in a way I could send him a copy of this, despite everything.’

Melissa glances at Lina, shocked. ‘It’s your decision, of course, but I’d be careful, really careful. Paul has been released; if he hurt you once it could happen again.’

‘Paul?’

‘He’s out of prison, remember, at least for now. He’s not allowed to come near me, but he might find his way to you.’

Lina looks up, bewildered. ‘Paul never hurt me.’

‘He raped you,’ Melissa says softly. ‘If he finds out he is the father of your baby—’

‘Paul didn’t rape me. No one did. He is not the father of my baby.’ Lina shakes her head, her dark eyebrows are raised in surprise. She lifts her hands, clearly astonished. ‘It was my boyfriend.’

It’s Melissa’s turn to feel stunned. ‘But I thought you finished with him, way back last autumn. The first time I found you in the kitchen, you said—’

‘I had finished with him – at least that’s what I thought. I’d just found out I was pregnant. Hassan wanted me to have an abortion. That’s why I was upset; I told him it was over.’

Melissa sits down on the stone ledge by the pillars that run around the cloisters; her legs are trembling. Lina sits with her.