‘You said Janey was raped, so it wasn’t her fault, let alone the child’s. Why should I scorn either of them? Was the man caught?’

‘Eventually. That’s a story for another day. Janey’s a really good mother, young as she is, and we all love the child. The woman she rents rooms from is like an honorary aunt and dotes on Millie, as you’ll see for yourself.’

‘It’s good that she has people who care.’

Hope looked at him and found herself smiling involuntarily as something occurred to her. He looked too young to have a grandchild. ‘How does it feel to become a grandfather so unexpectedly?’

‘Great, actually. I like children. I’d have had more, but Judith refused.’ And had then had her tubes tied without telling him to make sure there weren’t any accidents.

‘Well, now you’ve got two daughters. How did your Gemma take the news?’

‘She’s still trying to come to terms with the idea that she has a sister, but she’s not too upset by it. And she loves children, so she’s dying to meet her niece. Look, let’s speak frankly: I presume you’re here to suss me out before you let me near Janey?’

‘Yes. But you don’t seem to have changed much. You always were kind.’ She took a deep breath and committed herself. ‘Janey will be at technical college today. She’s making up for lost time so that she can qualify to go to uni. Why don’t I take you to meet her this evening?’

And then she took the greatest risk of all. ‘I don’t have a car so if you can pick me up just before seven that would be helpful.’

‘Can Gemma come too?’

‘If you think she’ll be kind to Janey.’

‘Of course she will. Slightly wary, as is only natural, but she’s a nice kid.’

Hope finished her coffee, suddenly alarmed at how much she’d told him. She needed to get away from him and stay on her guard more when she next saw him. ‘I’ll leave you to get on with your day now.’

He opened his mouth as if to protest then shook his head slightly and said, ‘Can I drop you somewhere?’

‘No. I’ve got shopping to do and I need to contact Janey. We made a provisional arrangement for tonight and I have to let her know. Here’s my address. Please don’t give it to anyone else without my permission. It’s a block of flats, all of them sheltered housing for women recovering from abuse.’

‘Was it very bad, what happened to you?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘I don’t want to discuss it, Adam. Not now, not ever. I’m moving on. See you at quarter to seven.’

Hope hurried out of the café, letting out a near groan of relief to have got this difficult meeting over. She’d acquitted herself pretty well, considering.

How good-looking Adam still was! If only her life had been different.

She turned down a side alley then let herself break into a run. But when she stopped at the top corner of it to look back, there was no sign of him pursuing her. Of course there wasn’t. He wasn’t like that.