‘How about we start unpacking your room until we have to go and pick up Ty?’ Vanessa suggested to Wren. He came and hugged her. She was getting more hugs and kisses from him than ever before, but she would take every touch she could get. Once the house was set up, it would feel more like a home, although she already felt at ease here.

There was a knock at the door at about ten o’clock and both Vanessa and Wren froze in fear. It was a quiet knock, not the bang of someone whose family had run away and been found.

‘Who is it?’ she asked timidly through the wooden door, not daring to look through the glass panel at the side.

‘It’s just us, honey,’ said her mom, and Vanessa opened the door.

‘I thought I was coming to you,’ Vanessa said, confused.

‘You did, but I wanted to see the new house. Wow, it’s lovely.’

‘Right?’ Vanessa smiled as she took Ty so her mom could take a look around. Nannie gave Wren a hug and kiss, then he took her on a tour of the house. Vanessa kissed Ty on his plump little cheek, cradling him to her breast. She couldn’t breastfeed so he was already on formula.

Her mom came back into the lounge. ‘It’s just perfect,’ she exclaimed. ‘And Wren’s room is so blue. It’s spectacular.’

Wren giggled and hugged into his nannie. He was so affectionate, it was wonderful. ‘I like it here, Mom – it’s our house now that Ty is home.’ He walked over to Ty and grasped his little brother’s hand in his. Ty curled his fingers around Wren’s, and he laughed, something she couldn’t get enough of. Things were going to get better; she just knew it.

‘It has all worked out perfectly. It was meant to be. Besides, we’re due for some good luck.’ She laughed, the sound foreign to her ears, and she cut it off abruptly.

‘It’s OK to be happy, Ness, darling. So… what happens when Mark finds out where you are? You know he came round last night.’ her mother said directly, staring into Vanessa’s eyes.