If Emily had also noted that he’d been spending increasingly more time talking to Tiff, maybe her own insecurities weren’t as misplaced as she’d first thought. The fact that the party had been what they’d been discussing before didn’t mean their frequent chats were over. And if Emily was right, they were still talking even after the surprise was done with. Brian wasn’t saying he hadn’t talked to Tiff, just that he hadn’t said what she’d accused him of. Emily could be upset because of the other things they’d been chatting about. It must be disconcerting for a teenager to witness her mother’s mental decline as well as hear her father talking to another woman. Perhaps she was scared her family was falling apart. Louisa could relate to that fear.

‘How’s my little man been today?’ Brian changed the subject and walked away from her, making his way to the Moses basket.

‘He’s been all right, actually. Got a bit vocal earlier while he was waiting for me to make up a bottle, but then he took it really well and fell asleep straight after.’

‘He’s in his cot, is he?’ Brian looked from the basket to Louisa. Her mind blanked as she approached the basket and saw it was empty.

‘Um …’ Louisa felt flustered. She’d put him in the Moses basket; she remembered doing it.

‘Louisa? How can you forget where you put him?’ Brian stormed past her and she heard him taking the stairs at speed. Her breaths came fast, a darkness clouding her vision. She was going to faint. Then she heard cries. Thank God. At least he was in the house. She turned to the door as Brian flung it open.

‘Emily’s got him. Didn’t you know?’

A part of her felt relieved. She knew she’d left Noah in the Moses basket, so she hadn’t forgotten. But why had Emily taken him without mentioning it? Her mind whirred. It was as if she wanted to make Louisa panic, wanted her to look bad – to confirm Brian’s worries about her not being able to look after the baby.

The ding of a notification sounding on her mobile gave her an excuse to walk away from Brian. From his accusing question. He wouldn’t believe whatever she said anyway.

Her pulse skipped as she read a message from Oliver.

The police want me to make a personal appeal for Melissa to come home. Tomorrow at lunchtime. Come with me? I can’t face it alone. Please? I need you. O xxx