I picture Tui’s wide grin and tangled black hair and recall her joyful, mischievous nature. I assume the fact that she is my actual living relative, the first one I’ve ever met, is yet to properly sink in, because my response so far has been to remain stoic. Kit had no reason to lie to me about who she is – in fact, he doesn’t seem to me to be the type of person to lie about much – but despite knowing that it’s true, I can’t feel it yet, or appreciate what it means. My lips can say the words and my ears can hear them, but my heart has simply slammed its doors. I came to New Zealand to find my mother – that in itself is big enough. I don’t have it in me to take on anything more than that – not yet, anyway.

‘As far as I’m aware, Tui is one hundred per cent Bonnie’s real child.’

I feel guilty for being so overwrought. It’s not David’s fault this has happened – he’s not to blame for Bonnie doing a disappearing act – but despite this, I can’t seem to shake off my sour temper.

‘It must have been very strange to suddenly be presented with a sister,’ he allows, and I nod into the handset, a sob rearing up in my throat.