We’ve had this conversation many times since we found out about Daphne, of course. And we always end up in the same place. Because there is no getting away from the fact that Rose, Jean, Daphne, whatever her name really is, was the best grandmother in the world. People can change, reverse their circumstances, adapt to a new way of life. ‘I think all of this has fucked Mum up,’ I say. I shiver, feeling cold to the bone, and Tom holds me tighter. ‘I think she’s repressed memories from that time. She was nearly three. It’s not like she was a baby when it happened. I think it explains why she’s always running away. Like now. Once again things get tough and she scarpers back to Spain. We moved around a lot when I was a kid. I was born in Bristol, then we moved to Kent and then out to Brighton, back to Kent and then she moved all over Europe. I don’t think she even knows what she’s running from.’

‘Saff,’ he says gently. ‘She couldn’t stay here for ever. She has a life in Spain. An apartment. A job. She had to go back some time.’

I sigh. ‘I wish Mum had seen Gran to say goodbye before she left. Gran isn’t well. I’m worried she’ll die and Mum will never have the chance to apologize, to . . .’

‘Babe,’ says Tom, pulling away, ‘you can’t expect Lorna to forgive your gran just because you do.’

‘I know . . .’

‘She’s been lied to all her life by the person she trusted most in the world.’

I hang my head. He’s right. I can’t blame my mum for being so angry with Gran. But I also know she’ll regret it if she doesn’t have a chance to put things right before it’s too late. Even if it’s only to hear Gran’s side of things.

‘Mum and Theo have a lot in common, don’t they? Both with parents who lied to them?’

‘But that’s the thing,’ says Tom, pushing back a curl from my forehead. ‘Your gran isn’t Lorna’s mother. Shit, I can’t imagine how that would mess with your head.’

‘I suppose. It is messed up. It’s just . . . I can’t be angry with a frail old woman, Tom, I just can’t.’