Sonia let out a small groan and opened her eyes. Steph admired her acting ability as she took a moment to focus and take in her surroundings. Her gaze rested on the cup of coffee. ‘I suppose that’s for me.’

Harry passed her the cup. ‘Black, no sugar and a splash of cold water. Just as you like it.’

Steph noted that Harry still remembered how Sonia liked her coffee and realised that he was more thoughtful than she would have expected.

‘Thank you.’ Sonia sipped at the warm liquid.

‘How did you get here?’ asked Harry.

‘Taxi from the station. I’d heard about the reopening and I found myself catching a train. I’m not sure why.’ She dipped her head but not before Steph saw the tears welling up in the older woman’s eyes.

Steph rummaged in her bag and pulled out a tissue, passing it to Sonia, who mopped at her eyes. Taking an audible breath in and releasing it slowly, Sonia placed the cup on the table and stood up. ‘I need to go.’

‘Where are you staying?’ asked Steph. ‘I could drive you back.’

‘I’m not staying anywhere. I’m getting the train home.’

‘Not in that state you’re not,’ said Harry. ‘You need to sober up first.’

‘I’m not drunk. I’ve had two drinks, that’s all. God knows why I came here. It was a stupid idea. Might have known I’d hit a brick wall with you. I can’t believe how uncaring and cold-hearted you are about my daughter. I thought you loved her but you clearly didn’t.’

Sonia pushed past Harry and headed for the door. He looked shell-shocked and perhaps not without reason, Steph thought. He had been anything but uncaring and cold-hearted with Sonia since she’d turned up, but right now this wasn’t Steph’s main concern. She rushed after her and caught her up in the hall. ‘Let me drive you, please.’

‘No. I’ve got a cab waiting. I just wanted to say my bit and leave,’ said Sonia as she strode towards the main entrance.

Steph followed her out. ‘I will get to the truth,’ she said. ‘But, like I said before, I can’t promise it will be what you want to hear.’

Sonia paused and eyed Steph intently. ‘Just don’t be taken in by them,’ she said eventually.

‘I’ve been around long enough not to do that.’ Steph was slightly affronted that someone would think she was gullible. ‘I’ll find the truth even if it kills me.’

‘Let’s hope not,’ said Sonia as she climbed into a waiting taxi. Her eyes never left Steph as the driver started the engine and the car pulled away.