Franny gazed at Bree evenly. ‘Why Mia is actually one of the few people I can truly feel in my heart. Because I know better than most people what it’s like to live that life, and I can stop it happening to her. I can stop her ending up like me … So at least now you’ll understand and hopefully realise why I have to do what I’m going to do. It’s best for both of you.’

Bree began to sound panicked. ‘What is?’

‘I wish I didn’t have to do this, Bree, but you’ve given me no choice, and in the long term, I know you’ll thank me.’

Bree began to step away as Franny walked towards her. A strange look crossed her face.

‘What are you doing? What are you going to do?’

‘Bree, look, you’ve got nobody to blame but yourself, so until I can get Alfie to take a break, this is what’s going to happen …’ Suddenly Franny grabbed Bree’s arm, twisting it behind her back before marching her towards the bedroom. With Bree no match for Franny’s strength, she was powerless to stop Franny throwing her in, and locking the door from the outside.

Hammering on the door, Bree screamed in distress. ‘Let me out! Let me out! Franny, you can’t do this! Franny, this is crazy!’

Walking across to pick Mia up who’d settled herself down, Franny smiled at the baby, calling out to Bree as she did. ‘Stop shouting, you’re going to upset Mia.’

‘Franny, have you heard yourself? This is madness. Just let me out.’

Cradling Mia in one arm, Franny began to unpack the shopping with her other. ‘Save your breath, Bree.’

‘You can’t keep me in here forever.’

Bemused, Franny kissed Mia’s head, her voice full of bafflement. ‘I’ve no intention to! And I never wanted to do this. You make it sound like this is what I want. Believe me, I’m not getting any pleasure out of this and if you’d listened to me, then none of this would’ve happened. Look, you’ll only be in there when I’m not here.’

‘And what about Mia? What’s she supposed to do? You’re just going to leave her out there in the cot?’

With a wide grin, Franny mouthed silently to Mia, ‘Your mummy’s crazy,’ before answering Bree and saying, ‘What’s wrong with you? You’ll have Mia in there with you. You’ll have everything you need. You’ve got the en-suite bathroom and you can have the kettle to make yourself a tea. I’ll cook you some food, so you won’t be hungry, and Mia will have her bottles.’

Bree’s voice dripped with anger. ‘You’ve got it all worked out, haven’t you?’