I let my eyes linger on her for a moment and feel a warm rush of familiarity, love, trust. This trip has helped repair us. My anger is gone, and all my fears of her not having my back—and even the sneaking fear that she may be interested in my father and try to seduce him or something gross—have not come true. She’s back to Melody, my mum’s best friend and my forever go-to person slash big sister.

‘I’m going to download some movies on my laptop for the flight home. Any requests?’ She unplugs her phone from the bedside table.

‘Definitely a comedy … I need a laugh.’

‘Roger that. I have a bunch of stuff to do today. I’m meeting Autumn in town and—’

‘So,’ I say, my mind wandering to their hand-holding and affection. Melody and Autumn seem very close. ‘Are you and her, like, a thing?’

Melody laughs. ‘Wondered if you might pick up on that. Yes, I guess we’re “a thing”.’ She air quotes. ‘A thing that’s ending too soon. But we’ll work it out, I hope.’

I take a moment to think this through. She had slept with my father, then dated a bunch of guys when she lived with Mum and me, and now she’s fallen for Autumn. Does this mean she is straight, gay, bi, pansexual or something else?

‘If you like—’ I start tentatively.

‘Is that the time?’ She jumps off the bed. ‘I gotta go. What are you doing today? Will you be okay?’

‘Sky?’ my grandmother’s voice sings from downstairs.

‘I’m hanging with Miriam,’ I tell Melody and pad downstairs in my slippers, leaving Melody to change.

It’s lunchtime, and once Melody is gone Miriam and I have the house to ourselves. I have no idea where Jaxon is; the couch showed no signs of him sleeping here last night. Probably for the best. He’s so angry with me and I don’t know what to say.

After messaging Lucy with a million apologies for not replying to her last texts and asking if Malcolm replied to her movie message, I help my grandmother prepare a tray of snacks—cut vegetables, nuts, crackers and dips from the supermarket. I light the fire, updating her on Lucy’s predicament, and she makes tea and coffee and then spreads a blanket on our laps. We crunch on carrots dipped in hummus, and it’s an idyllic scene, grandmother and granddaughter together. A real family. I only wish it could feel as true as it looks, and that under the surface I didn’t feel so confused about my father.

‘Sky dear.’ My grandmother puts down her coffee cup and takes my hand. ‘You know I’ve been waiting to meet you for sixteen years. I can’t possibly put into words how the last few days have made me feel.’