‘Diane,’ I say, head flicking up. ‘How come you and Michael never had children?’

‘I always wanted to,’ says Diane, going to the door. ‘But after Lorna took you, Michael just didn’t want to go there. Too much pain. So we never did. You could say Lorna stole that from us too. Our chance of having a family. But it’s okay.’ She manages a smile. ‘Maybe you can be our little girl. I know you’re nearly grown-up, but teenagers still need a bit of guidance. Right?’

‘I think I’m all guided out.’

Diane laughs. ‘We’ll be friends then. I can be your shoulder to cry on. Night-night, sweetheart.’ Diane’s hand lingers on the door. ‘You know, I’m happy you’re here. I’m sorry for saying that about your mother. It doesn’t reflect on you at all. Okay? Have a good sleep. If you get cold, you just turn the radiator up here.’

‘Okay.’

Michael and Diane are not what I expected. None of this is what I expected. I had hoped to have more answers by now. But one thing’s for certain – I’m not leaving here until I do.

Lorna

It’s 7 a.m.

Liberty’s been away all night.

I’m waiting at the Heathrow arrivals gate, pacing like a mad woman. Sleep is still a stranger.

All night. Liberty’s been there all night. In his house full of lies and hunting weapons.

Maybe she’s dead already.

I throw up into my takeaway Starbucks cup and look up at the Heathrow arrivals board.

The board flashes and my eyes flash with it, twitching.

Then I see my her – my sister.

Dee strides through the arrival gates like the commanding soldier in an army. She wears a bright red coat around her soft shoulders. Shiny calf-length black boots. Her hair is cut short, flecked with blonde streaks and she wears dangly Perspex earrings and glasses with green frames.

For a plus-sized woman, my sister has bold dress sense. Most larger women try to blend in, but not Dee. She’s not a blend-in person.

I throw my coffee cup into the trash (rubbish bin, Lorna) and walk towards her.

Dee’s face tenses when she sees me. ‘Oh, Lorna.’ She hugs me, pulling me into lavender-scented softness. ‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’

I let myself fall apart, sobbing as my sister holds the pieces together. Then Dee lets go and finds my eyes with hers.

‘Liberty will come back. She just has to find her own way out of the woods. Okay? A leap of faith, huh? We have to trust our kids. She’s not stupid.’

‘Don’t you get it?’ I say. ‘He’ll be getting into her mind, twisting her thoughts. You know what he does, Dee.’