‘Does he still have a hold over you?’

‘No. I have no feelings for Douglas. None at all.’

Nick sighed with relief. ‘Can we get over this? Because I don’t want to lose you.’

I smiled and touched his cheek. ‘There’s never been any danger of that.’

Douglas and Anna are on remand, pending their hearings in January. Both are accused of attempted murder, perverting the course of justice and aiding and abetting. Tim is facing a charge of unlawful sexual activity with a child under the age of sixteen. Anna’s first child is proof of that, but Tim isn’t denying it. He’s seeking to justify it.

Cora and Tim have been to see us. It took a great deal of tolerance on my part. I had to bite my tongue on numerous occasions. I didn’t tell Nick about their attempts to take the house from me, and nor will I unless they give me a reason to; his father’s treatment of Anna is enough for him to process. Cora was humble when she arrived, although her visceral dislike of me did occasionally peep through the facade. Tim was characteristically unbowed, cheerful and friendly, but refused point blank to discuss that summer. The one thing he did, and for which I’m grudgingly grateful, was persuade Lottie to open up. I don’t know what he said to her, because he won’t tell me, but she now talks about her father and writes to him. I don’t think Douglas will have a long sentence. I certainly don’t think he’s gone for good. The same applies to Tim, if he does any time at all. Anna has the most to atone for, but I expect, after a while, she will begin to see herself as the victim again.

I look up. Nick is watching me from the door, a half smile on his face.

‘What?’ I ask.

‘You look pretty.’

I grin. The thumb of my right hand automatically goes to the solitaire diamond on my ring finger. It still feels unfamiliar, still gives me a happy shock.

‘I’ve decided not to go back into banking, Grace.’

The sense of relief is overwhelming. ‘Good.’

‘We’ll have to downsize.’

‘I’ll get on to it straight away.’

He grins. ‘You seem to be taking it well. Are you sure?’

I look round at my swanky kitchen, at the gleaming units, the wall of glass, the expensive American fridge-freezer and feel no sense of impending loss, just excitement at the prospect of a new adventure.

‘I’m happy wherever you are. I’ll find us somewhere, don’t worry. It’s what I do. It’s my idea of fun.’

‘I’m applying to train for a Doctorate in Child Psychology.’

I go to him and plant a kiss on his lips. ‘That’s fantastic. You’ll be brilliant. Are you all set?’