I turn my attention to Richard; look to him for answers, but his gaze is fixed on Barb.

He gives a thin smile. ‘Hey, Mum,’ he says. ‘Sorry for the surprise entrance.’

It’s my turn to stumble now: the ground shifts beneath my weakened legs.

Barb takes a deep breath. ‘Oh, Tim … my Tim,’ she says.

‘Oh, my, God.’ I hear Davina’s voice behind me. ‘I get it now.’ She steps towards Barb. ‘You knew Tim was alive and well all along, didn’t you, Barbara?’

I’m not taking this in. I don’t understand what’s passing between them.

Except I do understand. I just can’t believe it.

This isn’t real. This cannot be happening. But as I look at Richard and Barb, I know it must be. My mind reels.

Richard is Tim.

Chapter Ninety-Three

Barb

‘What are you doing here, Tim?’ I say. My voice is hoarse – it, along with my body, now weak.

‘Could we back the fuck up here, please?’ Nick runs his hands roughly through his hair and begins pacing up and down beside the car, the mud becoming slushier beneath his feet. He doesn’t look at his brother.

‘This isn’t how I wanted you to find out,’ I say. Whatever comes out of my mouth from here on in will sound feeble, pathetic. Unreasonable. How will Nick ever forgive me for the lie. Because if it wasn’t for the fact Tim is here, now, I probably wouldn’t have ever revealed the truth to Nick.

‘Nick, mate – I’m so sorry.’ Tim reaches out with both arms towards his brother.

‘Don’t “mate” me!’ Nick dives back as though he’s been repelled by an opposing magnet, a pained expression set on his face. I know this must be a shock for Nick, but I would’ve thought seeing his long-lost brother might supersede his feelings of anger.

I see Amber put both her own hands to her head, confusion and disbelief contorting her face. She’s as shocked as I am Tim is standing here with us in the middle of a field. Difference being, she and Nick believed him to be dead. I knew otherwise, have done from day one. Maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised that Nick isn’t welcoming Tim with open arms. I hope it’ll change once the dust has settled. If it does. Panic seizes me again as I remember Patrick is here to even the score. There’s so much more to come. For now, silence falls – the unlikely gathering all temporarily stunned; mute. Minutes seem to pass.

‘This is madness,’ Nick finally speaks, breaking the spell. ‘Is this what you wanted to get me here for?’ Nick launches himself towards Patrick and squares up to him.

‘Yes, partly. I had to tell you what I suspected; had to find out the truth. I haven’t got long left …’