The next day, the fine weather had been replaced by a drizzly rain and Sara wasn’t enjoying the hour and a half she had to spend on the touchline while her daughters did their football practice. But she’d promised, and it was especially important to keep her word now that she knew she’d miss the following week. They seemed excited she was there, but she wondered if it might have more to do with the promise of treats afterwards. I wish Hailey could have come, she thought as she stomped her damp feet, trying to keep them warm. There’d been a change in plans because Hailey’s service user was ill, and with no obligation to be at football, she’d ended up staying at the house with Ezra so Matt could work and Sara could have a bit of time alone with the girls.

Sara moved from foot to foot, her trainers squelching, socks soaked through, glad to see her girls enjoying themselves but unsure exactly what the appeal of football might be. When the final whistle blew, she could have wept with relief.

The girls came running over, red-cheeked and mud-splattered, while the rest of the squad headed to the dressing rooms.

‘Let’s go, Mum,’ Sophia said, slinging her bag over her shoulder, Amelia doing the same.

Sara frowned. ‘What? Aren’t you going for a shower? Don’t you want to get changed?’

‘Nah,’ Sophia said. ‘The showers are grotty here. I’d rather wait till we get home.’

‘I was going to take you for a McDonald’s, remember?’ Sara looked at her mucky daughters and shooed them away. ‘Go on. It’ll only take ten minutes. Then we can have a nice chat while we eat. I feel like I haven’t had a chance to catch up with what you’re doing for ages.’

Amelia shook her head. ‘Not happening, Mum. We decided we’re not using the showers here, didn’t we, Soph?’

Sophia nodded, and the two of them started walking towards the car park.

‘I suppose we can get a takeaway instead,’ Sara said as she followed. She wondered if there was trouble with other members of the team and that was why they didn’t want a shower. She decided she wouldn’t push it. Girls that age were always falling out with each other, and it would probably blow over and be back to normal by the following week.

It was after eight by the time they got home, and Hailey was watching TV, Ezra asleep upstairs. Sara heard the back door close and frowned. ‘Was Matt just here?’