‘And in the meantime, what happens to us?’ asked Ian.

‘I appreciate that this is hard, the waiting, the frustration, but I need a little more time.’

‘Time’s up, lady,’ said Rob.

Her heart sank but how could she, in all honesty, argue with him? Maybe she should just walk away, tell them all to ask Justin for payouts. Maybe that was the fairest, most decent thing she could do. Let him pay them, God knows they deserved something. She was about to voice these thoughts when Sunita stood.

‘The way I see it, we had nothing before Kate came to us. She’s the one who started all this, who put the idea into our heads. She’s the one who’s been working her socks off. I think we need to follow this through. It’s too important not to.’

‘That’s easy for you to say,’ said Rob, ‘you’re in remission.’

Sunita looked stung. ‘It’s not about that.’

‘You going to stop my daughter from getting what she needs?’

Helen put a hand on Rob’s arm and, still bristling, he stopped talking.

‘I think we should put it to a vote,’ said Kate. ‘Those who want to withdraw from the case, raise your hands.’

Rob’s hand shot up instantly, followed by Helen’s. Ian’s too.

‘Those who want to continue?’ said Kate.

Sunita and Hazel. They already knew that Grace and Nick had voted in favour.

She didn’t need to spell out who had won. Rob’s face was dark and desperate.

‘You lot,’ he said, pointing, ‘you’re playing with a little girl’s life.’ His voice was cracking. ‘What gives you the right to decide what happens to her?’

‘It’s not like that, Rob,’ said Hazel gently, trying to placate him, but he flung her hand away.

‘I just hope you’re satisfied. Whatever happens, this is on you.’

‘Now, hold on a minute,’ said Ian. ‘That’s my wife you’re speaking to like that.’

‘I don’t give a shit,’ said Rob. Then everyone was talking, shouting; months of worry and desperation exploding.

‘Everyone, please stop arguing!’

The voices quieted. Stopped to see who had spoken. Abby was standing in front of them.

‘It’ll be OK, Dad, it’ll be OK. We’ll find the money for London. And Kate’s gonna win for us. Right, Kate?’ And she turned and looked at Kate with such an expression of belief, it was like a punch to her gut.

Kate didn’t dare speak, just nodded.

The meeting broke up soon afterwards and Kate made her excuses and left. Rob wouldn’t even look at her, so she saw herself out and started the walk back down the lane towards the station.

Dusk had fallen now and under the trees, the fading light barely got through. The street lamps were sporadic, and she wished she’d brought a torch. As Kate passed Grace’s house, she sent a silent wish to Arnie, even though she knew he wasn’t there.

It had been an emotional evening and she was tired. It felt nice to be walking, although by the time she got a train back to London, it would be late. She wondered how Iris was, and whether Tim had managed to spend any time with her, and decided to call him to find out.