‘Liberty won’t mind,’ said Nick. ‘She’ll be feeling too happy about her exam results to notice the finer details of her vegan feast. Assuming she got the results she wanted.’

‘Of course she will,’ I say. ‘Neither of us need to worry about Liberty and exams.’

‘Lucky her to be born with that brain,’ says Nick. ‘My parents gave me a clip around the ear on my exam-results day.’

‘The house feels good with the fences down, doesn’t it?’ I look at the tree-lined street and blue sky. Then I see Liberty and her bandmates bounding towards the house, talking and laughing, dressed in tight jeans, oversized boots, leather and hand-printed T-shirts.

‘There they are,’ says Nick. ‘The next Oasis. I’ve never seen so much ripped denim.’

‘All change today, right?’ I say. ‘The start of something new.’

Nick starts singing the song from High School Musical, about this being the start of something new.

I cover my eyes. ‘Don’t let those guys hear you sing that.’

‘Liberty knows who I am,’ says Nick. ‘Lame and proud. And we’re getting on better for it.’

The radio music fades into the six o’clock news:

The death toll rises today as more human remains are found at Huntingdon Wood.

Nick kisses my head. ‘I know it’s horrible. But at least everything is out in the open now. The truth heals.’

‘It is horrible,’ I agree. ‘But it’s also like putting down a heavy backpack. The world knowing. And being able to talk with you about it. I thought you’d run away screaming. I have to pinch myself that you stuck around.’

‘I’d never leave you. You know that.’

‘I wish I’d told you the truth when we first met. You’re right. The truth heals. And now everything’s so much better. With Liberty. With everything. We have the family we want.’

‘We’re doing great. We’re all doing great.’

I like living with a personal trainer. It’s very motivating.