I mention Scotty, and the mistake he made assuming a triple A was a stroke. For the rest of the night Claire helps me forget about what we went through. When Cain came home from Afghanistan I took leave to care for him, but when I went back to work, and before Axel returned from his tour, Claire was there, helping out. Cooking and keeping Cain company during the day. She’s always been there for us.

At some time around ten, after Axel has been away for a few hours, I doze off against her shoulder and we don’t wake until I hear the door close, and see Cain’s bandaged head emerge from the top of the stairs.

I stand, and rush into his arms. He bends, squeezes me. He’s in a t-shirt and jeans I don’t recognise. He has two black eyes.

‘It’s okay,’ he assures me. ‘It’s over now. I’ve got you.’

‘I know,’ I say, hopeless tears pressing at my eyes again. ‘Are you okay?’

He steps back, gives me that smile that’s all dimples, but it’s pained. ‘I feel like I’ve just gone thirty rounds with Tyson Fury, but I’ll survive.’

‘Gone thirty rounds and somehow come out on top,’ Axel says, giving him a thump on the back that might have sent a smaller man sprawling. ‘Home now, mate. Safe and sound.’

‘Spoke with the police again before I left,’ Cain says, thumbing his tired eyes.

‘What did they say?’ I ask as we move back into the lounge and sit down. Could they have made the connection between Daniel and me? Would they share that information with my husband? It’s late, the fatigue has settled deep into my marrow but my mind is not ready for sleep.

‘Not much really. Still piecing everything together. I wouldn’t hold my breath.’ He winces as he sits, a hint of the pain he’s in. The painkillers from the hospital must be wearing off. I want to tell him about the baby, I want to give him good news but I’ll wait until we are alone later tonight, or perhaps in the morning.

I kiss him now and speak gently, close to his ear. ‘I’m so glad you’re home, I’ve been missing you like crazy.’

TWENTY-TWO