As an only child I’d never known what it was like to have a sibling, but the closeness I felt with Daphne in that moment was how I’d always imagined it would be. I glanced at her and her eyes locked with mine. My stomach fluttered. I felt more for her than sisterly affection, I knew that really. The more I got to know her, the deeper my feelings became. I felt my cheeks grow hot at the thought that she might be able to tell.

She smiled at me. ‘And also . . . with Lolly. With the three of us, it’s like the family I wish I’d had.’

‘Me too,’ I said, my voice full of emotion.

We smiled at each other shyly and she reached over and took my hand in hers, squeezing my fingers gently. In that moment I knew I’d do anything for her: I wanted to look out for her and protect her. I’d never felt that way about another person apart from you, and maybe Audrey. Looking back now, I realized I was falling in love.

Then you came bounding into the room with a Barbie half dressed. You thrust it into Daphne’s lap. ‘I can’t do,’ you wailed. And Daphne laughed and pulled you onto her legs while she dressed the doll for you.

It was the most perfect day. The three of us huddled on the sofa, happy and safe, the fire roaring and the snow falling softly outside.

I wish we could have stayed that way, I really do.

Part Three

29

Theo

ON THURSDAY MORNING THEO UNEXPECTEDLY FINDS himself alone in his dad’s study and an opportunity presents itself to him that is too good to pass up.

The chance to snoop.

It’s not the kind of behaviour Theo has ever indulged in before. He’s not the type. He’s never looked through Jen’s phone, or tried to hack into her emails, like some of his mates have done with their other halves. Mutual trust is so important to him. And he knows Jen feels the same.

My dad is a potential pervert who is hiding something, he tells himself in a bid to ease his conscience.

Theo hadn’t planned to go to his dad’s today, especially after his visit to Larry yesterday, but guilt had gnawed at him about their argument and even though he’d lain awake most of last night, fury and disappointment grappling for prime emotion, guilt still found a way of slipping in, like a piece of shell falling into a bowl when cracking an egg.