I could feel my face crumpling. I looked at the old-fashioned wall clock, the hands closing in on 11 a.m. I adjusted my expression as best I could, the lie cutting deep into me. ‘I’m really sad you think that. I’ve got to go now, anyway. I’ve got a major meeting about my building project at midday.’

It was Sophie who crumpled now. ‘Don’t leave, Rachel. Let me help you. We’re all so worried about you.’

Little spikes of adrenaline were sending me skittering off in different directions, grabbing for verifiable facts. I paused, eyeing her. I was unravelling it now.

‘That’s what she said to you, isn’t it?’

‘What?’

‘Mum. She went on and on about how worried she was. And then you told her everything I said! I’ve been sat here trying to work out how they could accuse Amber of coercion. It’s bullshit, but if they twisted what I told you…’

‘We love you,’ Sophie wailed. ‘We’re all just trying to protect you. Why can’t you see that?’

I yanked on my coat, deliberately leaving her scarf lying discarded under the table. I would yearn for it later.

‘That’s why you came to see me on Monday, isn’t it? You’re not my sister; you’re just Mum’s spy.’

‘Rachel, listen to yourself,’ she said, pulling at the sleeve of my coat. ‘You’re so paranoid! I really think you’re having a breakdown.’

I turned on her.

‘You’re the one who should listen to me. There’s more to all of this than either of us understand, and Mum’s playing you. You need to learn to protect yourself when I’m not here to protect you anymore.’

I was heading down the hallway, Sophie running after me. I opened the front door.

‘Rachel, wait,’ she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘Please!’

My brain was simultaneously fuzzy and sharp, like an instrument I hadn’t yet mastered. I looked at Sophie, refusing to let her tears melt me the way they always had. I’d reached the doorstep now.

‘In the end, you’ll know who was telling the truth.’ I froze a second. ‘Maybe it’s not Mum who’s got the power. Maybe it’s Esther – maybe she’s got something over her. You watch what happens next.’

With that, I retreated down the stone steps, ignoring my sister’s sobs until they’d faded away into almost nothing.

LILY

Nick pulled the car up next to Holland Park, a couple of streets from my viewing. We’d barely spoken during the drive from Kilburn, with only the warm air that pumped from the heating system for background noise. The engine stopped, and he twisted his whole body towards me.