‘Oh, Robyn.’ Paula leaned back against the car seat. ‘I would have rung before if I’d known. Dave only just told me, I didn’t have a clue. What a moron John is, honestly. I can’t believe it.’ Perhaps it was time to stop slagging him off, she thought belatedly. She wasn’t sure such an approach was all that helpful, especially if Robyn hoped they might get back together at some point. ‘But look, if you want me to come over any time – or help with the kids – or, you know, listen or chat, or I can take you out for gallons of wine . . .’

Robyn’s voice had gone all small and trembly when she spoke again, as if she was about to cry. ‘I’m so glad you rang,’ she said. ‘I thought . . . I was worried . . .’ Her pitch seemed to rise with every word. ‘I was worried I wouldn’t be part of the family any more.’

Paula’s mouth swung open. ‘Robyn, no! Of course you’re part of the family! Oh my God, don’t ever think that. You can’t get rid of us that easily.’ Goodness, Robyn sounded so distressed at the prospect – it hadn’t even occurred to Paula that they would drop her, just because John had. ‘Oh, love,’ she went on. ‘Were you really worrying about that? Please don’t. We all think you’re great, and that John’s an arsehole for doing this. I swear. Not that Mum and Dad know yet, they’ve only just got back from Madeira – but Dave’s horrified, and Stephen’s actually up in Edinburgh now, trying to talk some sense into John. He felt awful, by the way, about basically lying to your face the other day, according to Dave. He didn’t have a clue what was going on when he turned up at yours and you told him what John had said, about them supposedly being out . . . Bless him, he thought John might be planning a nice surprise for you and he didn’t want to wreck it, so—’

She heard Robyn give a sob.

‘Oh, darling,’ Paula said wretchedly. ‘I’m so sorry. I really am.’

‘Thank you,’ Robyn gulped. ‘Thank you for ringing and telling me all of that. It means a lot to me. I haven’t managed to break it to the kids yet, I don’t know what I’m going to say, but . . . but I’m glad nobody is blaming me or—’