‘Well surprisingly enough, I am, darling. Here, you look like you need a hug.’

We have a hug. It makes me want to cry again. The only person I’ve ever met who gives me a better hug than Mum is Noah.

‘What a bastard!’

‘Noah?’ I say, startled.

‘Noah? He seemed rather nice to me!’ She laughs. ‘Your father. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t even turned up so that I could tell him I’m leaving. I thought I was going to have to WhatsApp him, which seems so impersonal. So, it was brilliant when he did turn up! And trust your father, he gave me the perfect opportunity to get my own back and show him up like he’s always shown me up!’

I think my jaw has dropped.

‘I think what she’s saying is he’s a bit of a shit.’ Bea has her chin resting on my shoulder, then sidles in so that she’s standing in between us.

‘Bea!’ Mum says rather loudly, shocked. Then she looks at me. A hint of a smile curling her generous mouth. I smile back, she grins, and then she tips her head back and laughs. ‘Oh, you are a lovely girl!’ She gives her an impromptu cuddle. ‘Bea’s right! That is just what I am trying to say.’

My mum just called my dad a shit. And she’s smiling, triumphantly if I’m honest. ‘Did you really mean it then, you’re leaving him?’ Is this why she’s been glowing, looking brighter and happier? Had she already got all this worked out?

‘I am! I deserve better, and so do you, darling. You’ve put up with far too much crap over the years.’ I blink. ‘Oh dear, I’m sorry, I’ve never wanted to upset you.’

‘You’ve not, I don’t think, it’s just a bit of a shock. You never gave me any idea you were about to …’

‘Well you’re so busy, and then you’ve had the Robbie thing to deal with. I didn’t want to overload you. But it’s been coming for a while; I suppose I was just waiting for the final push. You know how hard it is to take that step, even if you know things aren’t right.’

I nod. I do. ‘I was almost relieved when Robbie said it was over, well I was when I’d got used to the idea. Oh Mum, what will you do?’ I was in a relationship for a lot shorter time than my parents, how on earth will Mum cope? How will she ever find anybody to share her life with?

‘Oh, don’t worry about me, Rosie. I’m fine.’ She grins, and winks at Bea, ‘I’ve found a man!’

‘Mum!’

‘Oh honestly, you don’t think I’m cut out to be a brave and battling single woman, do you? Now before you give me your judgemental look,’ I squeak an objection, ‘I didn’t find him until I knew about Serena. That really was the last straw.’

I feel slightly queasy. What is going to happen with Serena? ‘Is he going to?’ I bite down on my lip, not wanting to say the words out loud.