‘I was born around the time Annalise went missing,’ I say. ‘I’ve checked all the dates. I have her middle name, which is weird and no one has ever explained it to me. And I was watching Cat Cannon at the party. I look a little like her. These two crazy canines.’ I point to my teeth. ‘And it also explains why you’re putting off telling me. Because Annalise would have been really young. Like, far too young when she had me. And I might think badly of you for it.’

Michael stares at me then, eyes dark and curious. ‘You, Liberty bell, are a very clever girl. Maybe too clever for your own good.’

‘I’m not that clever. I just pay attention.’ We carry on walking. ‘I’m right though, aren’t I? And Annalise was underage when you were together. Fifteen.’

Michael sighs. ‘Annalise was a beautiful thing. Such a beautiful thing. You know, love … it can be ageless. We have a soul age too. Not just an earth age. Annalise was an old soul. I loved that girl so much. People get caught up in labels when it comes to relationships, Liberty. Age. Gender. Race. But you love who you love. I’ve never believed in putting limits on that.’

‘Does Diane know?’

‘No. And it would kill her if she found out.’

‘You should tell Diane the truth. You owe her that.’

‘Diane can NEVER find out about Annalise. Do you hear me? Never.’ Michael’s sudden fury knocks me sideways.

‘Okay, okay.’ I hold my hands up. ‘Chill out.’

Michael’s face loosens. Then he starts nodding and manages a laugh. ‘You’re right. Sorry. It’s just I want to protect Diane, you know? She’s been through enough pain thanks to me.’

‘How could you sleep with someone so young? You must have been … what? Nearly forty? And to get her pregnant too. I mean … that’s pretty bad. Not to mention illegal.’

Michael snaps his head towards me. ‘You’ve made your point, okay? Things happen. Love happens. Have you ever been in love, Liberty?’

‘Lots of times. But always with people I’ve never met. Like David Bowie.’

We’re nearing the main house now, and Michael is still walking fast.

‘You’ll learn in time,’ he says. ‘Love is complicated. You don’t choose it. You fall for who you fall for. Look, I’m not proud of being with such a young girl. But Annalise and I were like Romeo and Juliet. Star-crossed lovers. Soul mates.’

‘Even though you were married and she was underage?’

‘Diane and I were separated for a few years. The years Lorna and Annalise happened.’

We cross the moat, me looking at Michael’s turreted mansion.

‘Diane told me that you two never separated. She said my mother made that part up.’