‘You lost your sister. Did that make you unsettled?’

He noted the way she articulated the word, unsure if this was because of her unfamiliarity with it, or whether she was needling him in some way. Instantly, he became defensive.

‘A little. Then again, we all find our own ways to grieve.’ Uncomfortable with the intensity of her gaze, he became brisk, authoritative. ‘I hope you will take away some happy memories of your time with us, Corinne. I know that Beth will certainly miss you, as will the rest of us—’

‘Abi won’t miss me. She hates me.’

‘She doesn’t hate you. The phone call from the school just threw her. She worries about Beth – we both do.’

‘She thinks I am a bad influence.’

‘It’s not that. Beth is sensitive. Impressionable,’ he added carefully.

‘And this is how you punish her: by sending me home.’

She spoke plaintively and he acknowledged to himself that there was some truth to her statement.

‘Listen,’ he began, but then stopped. He hadn’t realized she was crying.

‘Oh, Corinne,’ he said, shaking his head, putting his drink down. ‘You mustn’t take this to heart. None of this is your fault, you just happened to get a bit caught in the crosshairs.’

‘You’ve always been so kind to me,’ she murmured, ‘letting me be in this room when you probably wanted to be alone.’

‘I was glad of the company.’

She smiled weakly. ‘You’re just saying that to make me feel better.’

‘Well, yes, but also because it’s true.’

Something passed between them, a moment of recognition, of shared alliance, and he felt better for it, as though any bitterness between them had been expunged, understanding reached.

‘It’s getting late,’ he told her. ‘You should get some sleep.’

‘Okay.’ When she smiled he saw the gap between her front teeth and it made her seem youthful and fresh, a hint of her old vivacity returning.

‘I shall miss you,’ he admitted as they both got to their feet.

‘Me too,’ she told him.

And then she reached out and put her arms about him, and he was gratified by this unexpected hug, this sudden show of emotion. He felt the warmth and thinness of her body, and then she twisted in his arms, turning into him, her face lifted, and he felt her mouth press against his. It was urgent and brief, surprise leaping up inside him as he drew back, aghast.

‘Wait,’ he said, ‘hang on just a second there.’

He had his hand clamped around her upper arm, but he was holding her at a distance away from him, panic surging in his chest.

‘You’ve got the wrong idea,’ he began.

‘What’s this? What’s going on?’

He looked up and saw Abi, ashen-faced, at the door.