The waitress comes over and puts huge plates of food down in front of us. I try and push away the uneasy feeling of how fragile Douglas is and the fear that my dad could go back to this at any moment.

Chapter 22

Douglas has showered and shaved and he’s in fresh clothing, but he still looks absolutely shocking. When we arrived back at the lodge, he was able to speak to his brother and they made plans for him to stay at Jake’s place for a few weeks at least. He managed to sort out his work situation as well as find a local rehab centre in London that does outpatient detoxes for mild cases, which, luckily, they think Douglas is. He’s going for a consultation on Monday morning. Hopefully between his brother and the rehab centre they’ll be able to give him the support he needs to take the first steps to quit, and to detox safely. They’ve already started him with a plan to taper off his drinking.

I now watch him nodding on the phone to my dad before he thanks him and holds the phone out towards me. ‘He wants to talk to you.’

I give him a sympathetic smile as I take my phone back. I put Douglas in touch with Dad as I felt like he needed to speak to someone who’d been through it to know that he could do the same.

‘Hiya, thanks for that.’

‘Anytime. He sounds like he’s got his head screwed on right, I think he’ll be fine. You did good, you and your friend, getting him to realise that he needed help.’

There’s a wrench in his voice. It’s been such an emotional day and I scrunch my eyes shut, willing myself not to break down. I’m sniffing away tears, thinking that I’m doing a good job of being discreet but I’m probably not.

‘It’s just been a little overwhelming.’

‘I can imagine. I’m sure it’s bringing back old emotions.’

‘We don’t have to talk about that.’

‘We do sometimes.’

I wipe away my tears; now really isn’t the right time.

‘I’m going to go, I think we’re going to sort out a late lunch,’ I lie, but I need to get off the phone.

‘OK, I’ll speak to you soon. Call me, any time.’

I walk back into the lounge and Joel and Douglas are sat on the sofa with their legs resting on the coffee table.

I’m about to collapse in the middle when the patio door screeches open. Soph bursts through carrying Alfie on her hip.

‘Surprise, we made it!’ She breezes in and plonks her baby bag on the table. Brett follows behind, weighed down by bags.