Turning to face her, William gave an impatient sigh. ‘You’ve never asked me for my opinion before, so why start now?’ He went on before she had a chance to respond, ‘I couldn’t get you out of the house when your mother was alive, so I suppose your desire to leave before she’s cold in her grave speaks volumes.’

Olivia stared at him, open-mouthed. ‘That’s not it at all. I only stayed around before so that I could take care of Mum, you know I did.’

Her father shrugged. ‘Do as you see fit.’ He walked on.

Olivia stared after him. Why couldn’t he just say what he wanted? Reluctant as she might feel, she would stay if he really wanted her to – she wouldn’t leave anyone on their own if it made them unhappy. She started as her grandmother’s hand touched her elbow.

‘Everything all right, Liv?’

Olivia shrugged. ‘I don’t know. He makes out like he doesn’t want me to leave, but when I ask him outright for his opinion he won’t give it …’ she hesitated, ‘… apart from implying that he thinks I’m leaving because of him.’

Her grandmother drew a deep breath. ‘He’s trying to manipulate you, Liv. It’s a trait of your father’s, is that.’

‘I know,’ said Olivia. ‘He’s always been the same, but normally, if you don’t do as he wishes, he’ll tell you outright, but not today.’

‘Because he knows he can’t control you any more,’ said Nana astutely. ‘He realises his only chance is to guilt you into doing what he wants, but you mustn’t let him, because he’s doing it for selfish reasons, and that’s not on. He used to try it with your mother, only she wouldn’t stand for it, of course.’ She smiled. ‘She did him a lot of good, did your mother.’

‘So, what should I do?’

Nana slipped her hand through the crook of Olivia’s elbow. ‘Whatever you want to do, as long as it’s what you want and no one else.’ She stared pointedly at her son-in-law.

‘You don’t think my leaving would make him miserable?’ Olivia asked uncertainly.

‘He’s already miserable, Liv,’ Nana said decidedly. ‘You staying will just make the two of you miserable, and what good will that do?’

Olivia mulled over her grandmother’s words. ‘If it were anyone else I’d not even contemplate leaving, but I do believe that Dad and I living under the same roof will only lead to unhappiness and bitterness on both sides, him because he knows he’s holding me back, and me because I know he’s being unfair.’ She nodded thoughtfully. ‘I need to make a clean break, and I reckon it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.’

‘Strike whilst the iron’s hot,’ her grandmother agreed.

When they arrived back at the house Olivia left the mourners in the lounge to seek out her father, whom she wasn’t surprised to find leafing through some work papers in his study. She rapped her knuckles against the door to gain his attention. He looked up fleetingly before turning his attention back to the papers on his desk. He spoke abruptly. ‘Yes?’