Bubbles recovered from his burst of annoyance and made himself comfortable on her bed. Laura had a sudden urge to join him. She’d been tense over the whole Kyle break-up and hadn’t slept well since she’d quit her job, even though she knew she was doing the right thing. Once she’d told her parents and her dad got over the shock of her hair, life would settle and she’d have time to ponder what next.

She stretched out on the bed, one hand behind her head and the other scratching the cat under the chin. Lined up on either side of hers were two more beds, Kate’s on the fireplace side and Bree’s on the other. Laura had been in the middle between her two older sisters, and not just with her bed. She was always the mediator between Kate and Bree, who could easily rub each other up the wrong way. This room had seen many things, fun and fights, laughter and tears, the pandemonium of three sisters sharing its huge space, and yet even with other bedrooms available none of them had ever moved out, not permanently. They’d said they would, of course, threatened to on several occasions after one falling-out or another, a few times one of them had actually gone through with it, but when it came to the crunch they’d always come back and stayed, sharing the room.

Laura’s eyes felt heavy. The drive was a long one and tiring if you hadn’t slept well the night before. She rolled over and cuddled Bubbles in closer. The reassuring sound of the cat’s purrs and the soft comfort of her childhood bed soon had her drifting towards sleep.

Natalie put a hand to her mouth. The sight of Veronica in her husband’s arms took her back to that terrible time, and the events that had rocked her very being. The cancer scare and her relief were forgotten in an instant. Milt eased Veronica away from him but the image of his arms around her was burned into Natalie’s brain.

Milt saw her over Veronica’s shoulder. She blinked, forced herself to move. His look changed from sad to questioning.

Veronica must have sensed her approach. She turned, her eyes red, her face pale, and Natalie knew immediately what she was going to say.

“I’ve got breast cancer.” Veronica’s words were studded with sobs as she reached for Natalie. “Don’t tell me that’s why you’re here. Not you too?” She pushed her face into Natalie’s shoulder and clung to her. Natalie stood stiffly, arms at her sides.

Over Veronica’s head Milt watched her closely.

“I’m okay,” she mouthed.

They both looked at Veronica. Natalie gave her two crisp pats on the back. “I’m here for a check-up, that’s all. I’m fine.” There was no joy in saying the words now.