Staring out the back window as she waited for the kettle to boil, Louisa contemplated how to proceed. As much as she’d like to bury her head and pretend Oliver Dunmore hadn’t come back into her life, the fact was, that would be impossible now. Even if Melissa was found safe and well, his presence had already impacted on her little family. Whatever Oliver had been telling Brian last night now couldn’t be untold, nor could him telling her daughter that he would’ve married Louisa. That if it wasn’t for what Louisa did, he would’ve stayed.

Absentmindedly, Louisa made a coffee. Brian was hunched over the arm of the sofa when she walked in with it.

‘Here you go,’ she said, handing him the mug.

Brian straightened. His eyes were puffy and dark. ‘Thanks. God, what a night.’

‘Yes, so I heard.’

‘What, Oliver’s already given you the low-down?’ He looked confused.

‘No, Brian, you did that in the early hours of this morning.’

He groaned. ‘Sorry, Lou. Was I a nightmare?’

‘You don’t even remember?’

‘I remember leaving the pub. And waking up just now. That’s pretty much it. No recollection of how I even got home.’

Emily, who’d been quietly sat on the floor with Noah, raised her eyebrows. ‘Wow, Dad – what a role model!’ She tutted as she shook her head.

‘I know, I know. I’m old enough to know better. But Oliver kept them coming. No sooner did I finish one pint, than another was lined up. I don’t think I’ve put that much away since I was twenty.’

‘Emily, love,’ Louisa said. ‘Could you do me a huge favour and make up a few bottles for Noah?’

‘You just want me out the room so you can tell Dad off, don’t you?’

‘Of course not,’ Louisa said, winking at Emily.

‘Sure.’ She got up. ‘Sorry, Dad. You’re on your own.’

‘Cheers, lovely daughter of mine,’ Brian said.

‘So,’ Louisa waited until Emily was out of earshot, ‘what did you and Oliver talk about all night?’

‘We covered it all, Louisa – from when you two were together right up to the night of the party and Melissa’s disappearance.’

‘Oh, right. Well, no wonder you were so late then; that’s quite a timespan.’ Louisa hoped the apprehension she was feeling wasn’t noticeable in her voice.

‘It sure was. It was weird, hearing about your life with him.’ His face seemed to darken. Louisa felt a tug of anxiety in her gut.

‘Brian, I was seventeen when I met him. We were together for less than two years. We were kids.’