I close my eyes and when I open them again, the world spins a little. I nod. ‘Yes.’

Just like the old days.

Liberty starts to sob, hugging the furry mass on the floor. ‘You lied to me my whole life. And he hurt my dog. You’re both monsters.’

I turn to Michael, spinning away from the gun. ‘You hurt her dog? How could you do that?’

‘Careful now, Lorna. You’d better manage that temper of yours. You don’t want this rifle going off. It would be a terrible thing for Liberty to see, wouldn’t it? A real trauma.’

‘What did you do to Skywalker?’

‘Nothing. He must have eaten something out in the woods. I had nothing to do with it. I love animals.’

‘Like hell you do.’

‘How about you should have come quicker,’ said Michael. ‘If you had, her doggy could have got help in time. Poor little Liberty. Quite the day she’s had. Finding out the real wicked witch around here is you. And now her pup dying.’

‘Let Liberty go now. Let her go. You’ve done enough damage. I’m here. I did what you wanted.’

‘Liberty can leave whenever she likes,’ says Michael, pushing the door wider. ‘I’m not a kidnapper, despite what the press might say on the subject.’ He gives me a meaningful look. ‘It’s not like I’m locking her in.’

‘You did,’ says Liberty, lifting her head, chin out. ‘The door—’

‘I told you, this door gets stiff sometimes,’ says Michael. ‘You’ve got yourself confused. Don’t let Lorna make me out to be the bad guy, now. If it weren’t for Lorna, your real mother would still be alive. Lorna lied to you your whole life.’

Liberty scrabbles to her feet, chest heaving. ‘The door was locked. It was locked.’

‘There’s no need to look so angry, love,’ says Michael. ‘I thought you were happy up here, looking after your doggy. I brought you food. Don’t make out like I’m some big bad jailer.’

‘So … I can leave now, then?’ Liberty asks, voice suspicious.

‘You could always have left. Like I said, the door does get stiff sometimes. You know, Lorna had this same room. She’ll tell you. Off you go then, if that’s what you want. Lorna and I will stay here and catch up.’

‘Go, Liberty,’ I tell her. ‘Go.’

I want to say something profound. Some big motherhood wisdom. But I’m not wise. I messed everything up. She’s better off without me.

Liberty scoops Skywalker’s bulky body into her arms. I wonder if she knows she’s never going to see me again.

‘Liberty.’ My eyes soften. ‘Sweetheart. Leave Skywalker here. If he really is in such a bad way, he deserves a peaceful end. If you’re carrying him—’