‘The way I look?’ She glances down, at the black T-shirt that clings to her body, the denim skirt that ends mid-thigh and the faded purple Converse on her feet. ‘Why would he comment on that?’

‘I don’t know. I just wanted to check that he’s never said anything to upset you?’

‘No.’ She shakes her head. ‘Never. He’s always been really nice to me.’

‘And no one else in the family has ever made you feel uncomfortable? You don’t feel uncomfortable being around Mark …’

‘No!’ She glances down at her outfit again and I feel angry at myself for paying attention to what Stephen told me. I’ve made her feel self-conscious about the way she dresses now. As if her self-esteem wasn’t fragile enough anyway.

‘No,’ she says again, more softly this time. When she looks back up I’m startled to see tears shining in her eyes. ‘Of course not. You’ve all been lovely to me. I’d be on the streets if you hadn’t taken me in.’

‘I’m sure that’s not true.’

‘It is. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t said I could live here. Mum was … Living with her could be difficult and Jake knew that. He rescued me. I know we’ve had our problems but I do love him. He’s everything to me and I’d die if I lost him. Actually die.’

‘Oh, Kira.’ I cross the room, arms outstretched, but she twists away before I can hug her.

‘Please don’t, Claire.’ She fumbles the back door open and squeezes through the gap, knocking her camera bag against the wall in her haste to escape.

Wednesday 8th October 2014

Jackdaw44: Yesterday was cool.

ICE9: Until your mates turned up.

Jackdaw44: What’s wrong with my mates?

ICE9: They’re immature.

Jackdaw44: And I’m not?

ICE9: Would I have been having a drink with you if I thought that?

Jackdaw44:

Jackdaw44: Hey?

ICE9: What?

Jackdaw44: We should do beers more often. I like talking to you. Feel like you get me.

ICE9: Maybe that’s because I do.

Jackdaw44:

ICE9: Why are you punching me?

Jackdaw44: That’s a fist bump, you twat!

ICE9: Ha. Ha!

Chapter 20

I am sitting on the floor on the upstairs landing, photo albums scattered around me.

Mum’s text arrived half an hour after Kira left.

Don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to find those school photos of the kids yet, have you? Ben from the Bristol News said he’d run the feature but he needs them NOW. Can you have a look and let me know.