Steph was struck by the sincerity in Sonia’s words and she felt her own throat constrict with emotion. Sonia clearly loved her daughter no matter what sort of relationship they had had or what Elizabeth was like; she could only hope that it was the same for her own mother. She so wanted Wendy to love her the same way. She didn’t have to say it, just show it one time; that was all Steph was looking for. She felt an overwhelming wave of empathy towards Sonia and silently vowed that she would do everything in her power to find out what had happened to Elizabeth. Maybe Sonia Lomas could finally lay her ghosts to rest.

‘Would you like me to give you a lift back to the station or wherever you’re staying?’ asked Steph.

‘If you don’t mind. I didn’t ask the taxi to wait as it costs so much and I’m not exactly flush. Elizabeth left me some money, but it wasn’t a huge amount.’

‘She left her money to you? That was nice of her,’ Steph said as she turned the key in the ignition.

‘I was surprised and I did offer it back to Harry but he wouldn’t hear of it. My solicitor advised me that Harry had topped the money up himself.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. At the time I thought it was hush money, but now I think it was given in the true sentiment of his love for Elizabeth.’

‘And you truly believe that?’ Steph pulled out of the car park and onto the narrow road which wound its way through the countryside.

‘I think there was a certain amount of guilt attached to the money. He said that he wished he could have kept her safe. It was an odd thing to say but at the time I was so full of grief, I didn’t really pay it much attention.’ Sonia fastened her seat belt. ‘Grief does strange things to people and I must admit, I find Harry difficult to read sometimes. Or I used to. When Elizabeth was first married to him, I used to visit and sometimes he’d be happy and other times distant. He was never really at home at Conmere like his brothers and mother were. Elizabeth used to tell him off, said he should be grateful and people would give their eye teeth to be in his position. I always got the impression that Harry felt guilty.’