‘Don’t let her in.’ My voice is harder than I mean it to be. ‘She can’t come in here.’

‘God, no.’ Diane gives a high laugh. ‘I’ve called the police.’

Michael looks at the house. ‘Maybe I should go talk to her.’

Diane shakes her head. ‘No. You shouldn’t go anywhere near the gate. You know how Lorna twists things. You go out there, and she’ll claim you tried to shoot her or stab her or something. You stay here until the police come.’

‘You really think my mother would do something like that?’ I say. ‘Make something up?’

‘She’s done it before,’ says Diane. ‘Many, many times. She’s tried to ruin us. You never know what she’s capable of. God, I’m shaking.’ She holds her hands out, and I see trembling red fingernails. ‘I gave her a piece of my mind, Michael. I couldn’t help myself. She was saying all sorts of things. So much nonsense. I couldn’t stand it.’

‘Lorna always had an interesting relationship with the truth.’ Michael gives Diane a knowing look. ‘And no doubt she’ll be telling people we’re keeping Liberty prisoner here.’

‘Prisoner?’ Diane gives another harsh laugh. ‘Yes, I imagine that will be the next lie. We’ve heard that one before. About Cat’s daughter.’

My stomach creeps at the thought of my mother waiting at the gates. I know she’ll be crazy upset and I hate myself for doing this to her. But it’s the only way. Time to move forward, no turning back.

‘Can someone just tell her I’m not here?’ I say. ‘That she’s made a mistake?’

‘We can’t lie to her,’ says Diane. ‘We’re not those people. We don’t do things the way Lorna does. Look, the police will sort it out, okay? You two shouldn’t be disturbed. She should have the decency to let you catch up after all this time.’

I fiddle with my silver Gemini ring. ‘Will they arrest her? I don’t want her to be arrested.’

‘It’s okay, Liberty. The police know the history. They know your mother has … some mental issues. They’ll be fair and kind. God, I need a drink. Come on.’ Michael ruffles Skywalker’s head. ‘Tell this fellow he needn’t be afraid. Let’s go inside and I’ll show you the thing I’ve been saving for you all these years.’

I kneel to rub Skywalker’s face. ‘It’s okay, boy. Nothing to be frightened of. Come on. My dad’s just going to show me something. Okay?’ I stand and click for him. ‘Heel boy. Let’s go.’

Still Skywalker won’t move. I grab his collar and pull. ‘Come on, Sky. It’s okay. Really. It’s just a kitchen.’

Skywalker whines as I pull him onto the marble tiles, his claws clicking as he steadies himself.