Less than ten minutes later she was unpacking in a single room in Alex’s hostel. It was so close to the Montgomery but she might have been in a different city. The hostel was all bright colours, music, chatter. On their way to her room, he’d pointed out the communal kitchen and living room. Both were filled with people, mostly young, but some older travellers too. Talking, reading, on their phones, playing pool.

She’d offered to pay but Alex refused.

‘We’re practically family, after all. Though count your blessings you’re not a Montgomery. Stay as long as you like. I don’t mean that literally. One Celine in the family is enough.’

She thanked him, touched by the unexpected kindness. As he left her to settle in, she sat on the bed. Her phone beeped. Sullivan.

Hi Eliza! Are you back from London yet?

Yes, I just got back.

Welcome! I’m ready to go to the zoo anytime you want, all you have to do is say the word!

It wasn’t even lunchtime yet. Her overnight train journey already felt like it had been days ago. Her mind felt like it was on fire. She needed any distraction she could get.

How about now?

Really?? THANK YOU!!! I’ll ask Ann-Marie to ring you right now!!!

Five minutes later it was all arranged.

Alex was behind the hostel reception desk as she came down.

‘I’m heading out for a few hours,’ she said.

‘It’s a hostel, Eliza. Not a Boarding House for Respectable Young Ladies. You can do whatever you want and not tell anyone.’

He was right, she realised. For the first time in her life, she really could.

Back at the Montgomery, Maxie was in tears.

‘I knew it would be bad. I never thought it would be that bad.’

‘Stop crying, Maxie. It’s not helping. We have to do something to fix it. We shouldn’t have let her go.’

‘We? What could I have done? Tried to run after her with my crutches?’ Maxie became more upset. ‘You were right. We should have told her everything years ago. After Jeannie died.’

‘We couldn’t. Don’t you remember what Eliza was like then? She was in pieces, Maxie. She was so fragile. I was always worried she’d have a complete breakdown. All that kept her going back then were the good stories, the funny stories, remember? The madcap Jeannie tales over and again, like bedtime stories. We couldn’t have told her the truth. Not even some of it.’

‘Then we should have found out if her grandparents were alive or dead before we told her.’

‘We didn’t know it was going to come up so soon today. And how could we have found out, anyway? It’s more than thirty years since we were at school. We don’t know anyone there any more.’