‘You know nothing about our life!’ I heard my voice resounding around the room as I looked at Daisy’s startled face. Anger burned through my stomach and coursed through my veins.

‘I… I didn’t mean it in that way, I just meant…’ Daisy stuttered

‘I know what you meant.’ I took a step forward ‘I have known what everyone has meant all of Ben’s life. People think what they think, but only I know. I know what Ben’s father was like and he was not good. He would not have benefited in any way from knowing that man!’ My voice seemed to reverberate around the room. Daisy hung her head.

‘My life, Ben’s life, before you came along, Daisy, was what it was.’ I lowered my voice ‘No one asked any questions and we got on with things because that’s what you do. Ben had relationships with people and he remained my son, he stayed here with me. He didn’t think to disappear off for months without contacting me. Suddenly he’s with you and he doesn’t call me any more. Then six months later, he’s gone. I don’t think you know Ben at all. He is in his own world and let’s face it, you practically chased him away with your accusations.’ I watched as the tears came from Daisy, but no emotion shifted inside me.

‘I was in a mess then. I didn’t know what I was thinking, let alone saying,’ Daisy said through sobs. ‘But he can’t just have cut himself off completely?’ Daisy said to my back as I walked towards the door. I paused and turned back around to look at her.

‘For the whole time you and my son were gallivanting off thinking of no one but yourselves, I didn’t hear a whisper from him. I think an entire month passed once before he replied to one of my texts.’ I knew this was news to Daisy, and it pained me to have said it out loud, the memory of it. But the girl needed to know. I took the door handle in my hand, clutching onto the glass tightly again. ‘Do you know Ben doesn’t even have a driving licence?’

Daisy looked confused. ‘But he drives…’

‘Yes, because I taught him. I told you, Daisy, he’s a free spirit. He didn’t want to be bogged down with taking tests and laws. He likes his freedom. Sometimes, Daisy, people just want to be left well alone. And when they make that decision, it doesn’t matter how hard someone tries to get to them, they will be fighting a losing battle. I’ll see you downstairs.’

I walked out of the door and closed it gently behind me.

I stood and breathed slowly in and out and let my pounding heart return to normal before I walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Through her grief and exhaustion the girl was still a feisty little thing. If nothing else it would serve her well during labour.

I sat at the kitchen table and let my racing thoughts calm down before I could start assessing everything. How dare that girl say those things? Of course, she was all emotional because of the pregnancy, but good lord, did she think she was the only woman that had ever got herself pregnant? Ben was going to move on, he was already moving on. She didn’t know my son when she married him.