‘Well, I’ve no idea where she’s got it from, but it’s a million miles from the truth.’

‘You’re blushing.’

‘That’s because you’re making me feel guilty even though I haven’t done anything.’

‘OK.’ She holds up her hands, palms towards me, friendly. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you; just to warn you. Sometimes children find it hard to talk to their parents but will open up to an aunt or a family friend. Oh, and she told me something else you might be interested in.’

I groan audibly. ‘What?’

‘When she stayed with him last weekend, she overheard him talking to someone on the phone. She said it sounded like a girlfriend from the way he was speaking. She thinks he’s seeing someone. So, if you are thinking along those lines, it’s best you don’t get your hopes up.’

My muscles tighten, particularly the ones in my face. I pull my mouth into a smile. ‘Good. I’m glad. It’s about time he had someone in his life.’

I grab my keys and leave the room, calling up to Lottie. She comes out of Kai’s bedroom looking shamefaced and defiant. I wait for her at the bottom of the stairs and when she reaches me I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her head.

‘I’m sorry about that, darling. I am truly sorry.’

Her face is blotchy with tears. ‘You were all screaming at each other, Mum. It was horrible.’

I stroke back her hair. ‘Sometimes adults go a bit mad. It’s been a tough couple of weeks.’

‘Cora hates me.’

‘No, she doesn’t, Lottie. She’s just scared.’

Kai is sitting on the top step and I smile up at him. ‘Thank you for looking after her.’

‘Nah,’ he mutters back. ‘S’all right.’

At nine Tim and I take Toffee for his last walk of the day. It was my suggestion. I wanted to try to calm things down. I know I’ve said things I can’t take back, but so has Cora. I have apologized but I was glad when she said she didn’t feel up to coming with us.

Being out and about with Tim is a bit of an eye opener, even at this time of night. We’re stopped twice by locals wanting to chat. People do that when you have a dog, but this is different; he’s only been here a couple of weeks, and already everyone seems to know him.

‘Can we talk about Devon?’ I ask.

‘What do you want to know?’

How can I say what I want to say, without betraying Anna’s trust? I think for a moment. One little white lie won’t hurt. ‘Alex Wells told me that Nick was bullied on that holiday. Were you aware that was happening?’