‘All the good intentions in the world are meaningless unless Dale acts on them. Your father made his share of promises over the years, most of them worthless.’

Megan wiped away her tears with the back of one hand. ‘I know, honestly, I know. Dale’s a liar; I can’t believe a single word that comes out of his stupid mouth. I’m beginning to think that moving away’s the only real option left open to me. I could ask work for a transfer. Somewhere far away at the other end of the country, Plymouth maybe, or Truro. I’ve always liked the West Country. If it weren’t for you, I’d do it, I really would.’

‘I’d miss you and Lottie terribly.’

There were a few seconds of silence before Megan spoke again, her voice resonating with raw emotion. ‘The police came.’

‘What?’

‘The police, they came here tonight, two uniformed constables, a man and a woman, siren blaring, blue lights flashing. They left a few minutes ago. I’m a solicitor, Mum. I knew one of them by name. I’d seen her in the magistrates’ court. I’ve never felt more embarrassed in my life. When’s it all going to end?’

‘Did you call them, the police? Did you call them?’

Megan shook her head in reflexive response. ‘No, it must have been one of the neighbours. I was annoyed at first. But I can’t blame them. Dale was making one hell of a racket, yelling, banging the door. People aren’t used to that sort of thing. I can’t believe it’s me in the spotlight. It’s the sort of thing I deal with professionally. You know, the sort of thing that happens to other people. Everyone’s going to be talking about me, and not in a good way.’

‘What does it matter what people think? That’s the least of your worries.’

‘It’s a work thing, Caerystwyth’s a small town, my reputation’s important to me. My clients need to know they can trust me.’

‘Is Lottie asleep?’

Megan massaged the back of her neck, her hand moving in jerks. ‘Yes, I don’t know how, but she managed to get off somehow. The poor thing must be totally exhausted.’

‘At least there’s no school. She can have a lie-in. That’s one positive… are you going to report him?’

‘What, Dale?’

‘You’ve got to put a stop to all this sometime. Maybe now’s the time, this could be the opportunity.’

Megan exhaled slowly through pursed lips, shifting on her chair, crossing and uncrossing her legs, unable to get comfortable. ‘He’s broken the conditions of the injunction. He’s in trouble enough as it is. A part of me still loves him; God help me. I don’t want to make things even worse than they already are.’

‘Not even after everything he’s done?’

‘No, I don’t think so.’ Megan laughed despite herself, but her tone betrayed her true feelings. ‘I thought me and Dale were in it for the long haul. I thought we’d grow old together. How wrong can one be? I don’t trust my judgement any more, that’s the truth of it.’