‘Because Justin has been through something traumatic and I don’t want him to be reminded of that. He has a lot to recover from – he may never walk the same again. He has a concussion, a crushed leg from being pinned under the steering column, and memory-loss issues. He’s in no shape for visitors.’

‘Joan, I understand he’s in pain, but my son is dead, and I need answers. Justin may have them.’

‘Fuck off, Vanessa.’

Vanessa was taken aback by her words, her tone, her demeanor, but left anyway. She was going to have to try a different tack with Justin. She’d think on it some more.

She drove back to their small town and headed over to Wade’s house. The front yard was unkempt – weeds up to the knees, toys half hidden among the out-of-control foliage. She knocked on the door and heard the baby crying; someone was definitely home. A harried-looking Phillipa opened the door. ‘What do you want?’ she demanded.

She decided to be direct. ‘I want to speak to Wade. I want to ask him a few questions about the accident.’

‘I’m sorry for your loss, Vanessa, I really am, but Wade had nothing to do with it.’

‘He was in the car with Justin, who was driving, and Wren, who died. Why can’t he speak to me?’

Phillipa sighed. ‘He has concussion, a broken arm and a fractured wrist. He smashed his head against the side widow and hasn’t really been himself since.’

Why were these two women using injuries to stop their sons from talking to Vanessa?

‘He feels guilty – it could be about Wren.’

You think?

‘Can I talk to him, please?’ Vanessa almost begged.

‘It’s not a good time.’

‘OK, can I come back when he is feeling better?’

‘No. I don’t think that’s a good idea. He… he doesn’t need to remember.’

‘Things don’t add up, Philippa. If it was Wade, wouldn’t you want to know?’

‘Go away, Vanessa,’ she said as she went to shut the door in her face.

Vanessa was shocked. Mild-mannered Phillipa had just told her to go away! Vanessa stuck her foot in between the door and the jamb. ‘Did Joan call you? What did she say?’

Philippa looked down. ‘No,’ she said, clearly lying.

‘If they did nothing wrong, then why can’t I talk to them? What are they hiding?’ She was so frustrated with Joan and Phillipa. What was their problem? ‘Next time I come back, I’m not taking no for an answer.’

Vanessa walked away and drove off without looking back. She was angry and emotional, and the only person who would understand was Ryan. She drove over to his house and rang the doorbell. He answered the door with a glass of red in his hand. She took it from him and drank three healthy gulps.

‘Been one of those days, huh?’