‘I’m sorry to hear that. But surely it’s just nerves? Let me reassure you – and Corinne – that she will be very well looked after while she’s here. Beth has been so excited about this visit; I know she’s been communicating regularly with Corinne. They’ve been making all sorts of plans.’

It was true that they’d been Snapchatting and WhatsApping for weeks.

‘Corinne told me tonight that you have had a bereavement.’

Abi caught herself then, sudden feeling rising in her chest. Melissa had died a few weeks ago and they were still reeling from the shock. Abi wondered how much Beth had told this girl.

‘Yes, that’s true. Beth’s aunt – my husband’s sister – recently passed away,’ she said carefully, pressing her thumbnail into the flesh of her index finger to keep herself steady. Her voice remained level. ‘But that doesn’t have to change things.’

‘It would be wrong – Corinne coming to you when you are grieving.’

‘Really, we are fine. I appreciate your concern, but Beth will be so disappointed if Corinne doesn’t come.’

‘It is not right,’ Valentina went on. ‘Someone close to you has died.’

‘What can I say to reassure you? Yes, Melissa’s death was a shock, but we’re coping. And we feel very strongly that it’s best for the girls if we carry on as normal.’

Still it was there – the pull of hesitation at the other end of the line. Abi couldn’t help but feel that this talk of Melissa’s death was just a ruse. That the real reason behind the woman’s reluctance lay elsewhere.

‘Is there something else, Valentina? Some other reason?’

‘I’m not sure how to explain it.’

Valentina’s voice had lowered to almost a whisper.

‘It’s just a feeling that I have. A thought, oh, how do I say it?’ She gave a little huff of impatience with herself before alighting on the word. ‘Intuition.’

From upstairs, Abi could hear a door opening, footsteps creaking on the landing. She looked up, and saw Beth leaning over the bannister, her face pale in the shadows.

‘Something Corinne told me tonight,’ Valentina went on, ‘it troubled me. She has a good heart, but she is not always reliable in what she says. It made me realize that she’s not ready for this.’

Again, there it was – that push of fear in Abi’s chest. What had Beth told the girl?

‘What’s going on?’ Beth hissed from the top of the stairs, and Abi shook her head and gestured for her to wait.

On the other end of the line, the voice had broken off. Abi could feel the woman’s hesitation, and under the pressure of Beth’s gaze, she found herself saying: