But he didn’t shy away this time. In fact he turned right towards me and extended his arms, inviting me to lean down and embrace him. It took my breath away and made my eyes a bit glassy too.

‘And I love you too, little sister,’ he whispered. ‘Maybe you’ll pick up that guitar of yours soon and show us all what you’re made of.’

I could only nod as I fought back tears of happiness and sadness rolled into one.

‘Just try it, Charlotte,’ he continued. ‘I know your confidence was knocked by that snobby school principal, but you’re way better than that. I know you are.’

I got into the car, put the window down and started up the engine. A blast of country music startled us, making us both laugh at the welcome distraction from the emotions that filled the air around us both.

‘It’s nice to see your taste in music has stayed the same, anyhow,’ he shouted across at me. ‘Start singing again, sister! You don’t know what you’re missing! It’s good for your soul!’

‘I will very soon!’ I call back at him. ‘I’m working on it, I promise.’

Chapter Seventeen

I’m in bed when Sophie calls unexpectedly at the door just after eleven a.m., springing me out of my dream in which I was tutoring children who were speaking a different language and I couldn’t understand a thing they said. Their words were right in my face as they spoke mumbo jumbo and they laughed at me with toothless grins, pointing and mocking, telling me how useless I was and how I’d never be a real teacher.

‘Thank God you’re here!’ I tell Sophie. I realize I’m shaking. ‘Oh Soph, I was stuck in the most horrendous dream! Why are you even here? It’s so good to see you. Come in.’

I say ‘Come in’ but by the time I say it, Sophie is already in the kitchen filling the kettle.

‘Nice pyjamas,’ she says. ‘Do you actually wear those in bed with Jack?’

I glance down at my Disney pyjamas, realizing they are now about nine years old and are as tattered and torn as my mind is at the moment.

‘Sentimental value,’ I say, ‘and no is the answer to your question. Of course I don’t wear these in bed with Jack! I sleep naked!’

‘Eugh,’ says Sophie as she flicks the kettle to boil. ‘Too much information.’

We take a mug of coffee each outside and Sophie lights up a cigarette, much to my bewilderment. She never smokes. It looks funny and doesn’t suit her at all.

‘What on earth are you doing?’ I ask her. ‘You don’t smoke. Give me a puff.’