Harry was being hustled up against the wall, Antonio standing in front of him, his hands slightly raised, ready to make a grab for Harry if he moved again. Owen was pacifying Dominic, who was calling Harry a variety of names, none of them complimentary.

‘I’m all right,’ said Harry to Antonio. ‘Honestly, I’m fine.’

Antonio didn’t look convinced, but a nod from Dominic and he left the room.

‘Just what the hell is going on?’ asked Owen.

Dominic straightened his jacket. ‘You need to ask that idiot over there.’

Owen looked to Harry for an explanation.

Harry’s gaze fixed on his older brother. ‘Was it you?’

‘Don’t be such a prick,’ said Dominic, smoothing down his hair. ‘You don’t get it, do you? It wasn’t me. Yeah, I like this place. I earn a good living from it. It’s a family business, but Conmere is not my blood group. If you cut me, I wouldn’t bleed Conmere.’ Dominic flicked a look to Owen and then back to Harry. ‘None of us in this room would.’

Harry looked in disbelief as the reality of what Dominic was saying hit him. He shook his head. ‘No. It … it can’t be.’

‘It can be and it is.’ Dominic sat down.

‘Would someone like to tell me what you two are going on about?’ chipped in Owen.

His brothers ignored him. ‘Look, Harry,’ said Dominic. ‘I’m only trying to protect her. She’s not strong enough to deal with this now. I’m sorry. I really am. I didn’t want it to end the way it did, but what’s done is done. It’s better this way.’

‘No!’ Harry heard himself shout. ‘It’s not. It’s not better.’

‘Of course it is,’ said Dominic, his eyes narrowing. ‘Unless, of course, you want to see our mother spend the rest of her life in prison. Unless you want to see her die there, because that’s what will happen. She’s not strong enough to withstand a trial. She hasn’t got the luxury of time. Now get that into your head.’

‘Someone, please—’ began Owen, only to be cut off by both Harry and Dominic telling him in unison to shut up.

‘You know how much she loves this place. It means everything to her. It means more than any one of us, singular or plural. Conmere really does run through her veins. You can’t do this to her.’ Dominic blew out a long breath. ‘Now, go find that girlfriend of yours and warn her off, before I have to.’

Harry looked defiantly at his brother. What the hell was he supposed to do? Could he really tell Steph the truth? But what about Elizabeth? She didn’t deserve this, nor did Sonia. ‘All this time you’ve known,’ he said.

‘I was at the boathouse. I saw it happen.’

‘And you cleaned up for her.’