‘She did?’ Edie couldn’t believe what her dad was saying. ‘But I thought she was disappointed that I wasn’t doing business studies and that I wouldn’t be going into the company.’

‘I think that she only wanted you to choose that degree because she thought it would give you more options for work later on. Of course she wanted you to work at the company, you know that she had grand notions of it being a big family affair, but that was her dream and she was proud that you were following yours. I don’t think she would have ever expected you to actually start working with us.

‘Not that I’m not grateful that you did,’ he adds hastily. ‘It’s funny when you look back though; I’d forgotten that Porter’s was not really on the cards for you career-wise.’

I know I need to be honest. Of how I’ve felt over the past seventeen years. It’s time to put in action the final note to self that came through at the weekend. The final challenge: stop putting off conversations that you want to have.

‘The funny thing is, I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. About what I would have done if I hadn’t started work at Porter’s—’ My voice is unsteady but I take a deep breath. If anything this summer has taught me it’s that I’m capable of more than I think I am. ‘And volunteering with the kids has made me think that maybe it’s time for me to try something different. Aaron and Claire have stepped up brilliantly and I know that if we promoted them, and took on the right member of staff to support them, that you wouldn’t even miss me.’

I’m hurrying through a stream of consciousness, wishing that I’d planned it all out.

‘After the accident, I joined the company because it felt like it was something I had to do. Everyone was in shock and I knew that you needed someone to do Mum’s work. I guess I thought I was the best person to fill in, because over the years I’d seen what everyone did and I knew the company. It was almost comforting because I was surrounded by her presence, and I wanted to be around people who knew her. I needed to be there.’

‘Oh Edie, I guess I didn’t think about what you’d given up. I was supposed to be the adult and yet back then I was a mess. I’m embarrassed by how much I came to rely on you, even though you were still so young. If you hadn’t been there when I was drinking …’

Julie leans over and takes Dad’s hand when she sees it trembling and they exchange a look with each other. Knowing my dad has someone to turn to for comfort warms my heart.