‘It’s true! Look at the way you treated Valentina! When we were in France, you were all buddy-buddy, but then when her fucking husband dies, you can’t get out of there quick enough! I mean, have you even called her since we came home?’

‘Yes, I have! Several times.’

‘Oh yeah. Sure. Just so you can tick that box, pat yourself on the back for being so fucking polite and attentive. But you don’t actually listen to anything she’s saying, you don’t actually care—’

‘Oh, and you’re full of concern for Val now, are you? Just a minute ago you were berating her for being a bad mother. For damaging Corinne.’

‘Hey, I’m not a fan of the woman. She’s a liar and a freak and her behaviour repulses me, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about you wanting me to hang out with one of those stuck-up cows from school so that you can relax about my fucking mental health and feel better about yourself as a mother and then forget all about me and go back to hobnobbing with your fucking corporate dildo friends!’

‘That’s enough!’ Abi snapped.

Beth’s phone spun off the desk and skittered across the floor where it came to rest by the foot of the bed.

Abi’s heart was beating wildly in her chest. She looked at Beth’s small face dark with rage, with hatred. An icy finger ran all the way down her back. She had the queerest feeling that she was looking at a stranger. She didn’t recognize this girl at all.

‘I don’t know how to talk to you when you’re like this,’ Abi admitted, her tone softer now, but her heart was still beating fast. ‘I feel like everything I say will upset you.’

Beth didn’t respond, but the anger drained a little from her face, the air between them losing its fractiousness.

‘Sometimes I think you find it easier to talk to your dad than to talk to me. Since Melissa—’

Beth took in a sharp breath and put both hands to her head, smoothing her hair back in a swift gesture that told Abi she should stay away from that subject.

‘We all love you, Beth – me, your dad, Eva. We just want what’s best for you. We want you to be happy.’ She tried to infuse these words with gentle meaning, but still they came out sounding stiff.

‘I am happy,’ Beth said with quiet insistence, adding: ‘Corinne makes me happy.’