‘It was mostly wonderful. She was so different from any other mothers that I knew. She was fun. She was moody, but I could see the change in moods coming. She’d get really busy, change the décor in our house, or even cook a lot. Other times she’d just want to lie in bed. And I would lie beside her and read, or bring my painting things into the room. She named her moods after the seasons. Sometimes she said she was in summer, or if she was low, it was winter. Sometimes it was a very cold, dark winter.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know what you and Maxie think, but I know she didn’t mean to do it, Olivia. Even before I read the coroner’s report. She would never have left me alone like that by choice. I know she wouldn’t.’

‘I know the police asked you this, Eliza. And I promise I’ll never ask you again.’ She hesitated. ‘Did Jeannie leave any kind of note at all?’

Eliza’s eyes widened. ‘All this time, you thought she had? That I’d destroyed it? Not told anyone?’

‘We’re trying to be as honest with you as we can. We hope you’ll be the same.’

Eliza was silent for a time. ‘I remember getting out of the taxi. Walking up to the house. I could hear music playing. The house was full of music. And light. Every light in the house was on. The doors were open. Every dish had been used. Every glass. As if she had been having the time of her life while I was gone, eating everything, drinking everything. It was usually spotless when I got back from any trip. As if she’d done nothing but clean while I was away. All the cleaning things were out in the kitchen. Cloths and sprays, the mop, the broom. She must have been about to get stuck in, clean it up for me, but then she must have decided to have that bath first and that’s, that’s when —’

Olivia put her arm around Eliza. She could see her goddaughter was trying to hold back tears. She waited quietly until Eliza was ready to speak again.

‘She rang you five times that night, didn’t she?’ Eliza asked eventually. ‘Why so many times?’