Bern Miller hadn’t been the one who did it – he’d been the one covering it up. The one protecting his brother.

‘Patrick?’ I say through clenched teeth.

‘Yep. Looks that way,’ Richard says. ‘I didn’t give Dad chance to really explain, neither did Mum. We were too angry; hurt at finding out what we thought were his secrets. I found the trophy box and because of his lies – the fact he did have addictions and was often out late at night – we automatically presumed he was the guilty one. His anger at my accusations seemed to prove he was guilty.’

‘Are you sure, though? Could you be wrong?’

‘I don’t think so,’ Nick says. ‘And now I’ve looked at everything together, and looked into Patrick, it’s the only conclusion I can reach.’

I look to Richard. He’s deathly white.

‘It’s not your fault, Richard. You left – you didn’t hurt your dad. If Barb hadn’t been so angry, had waited …’

I don’t finish the sentence.

We all know how it ends.

‘What’s done is done,’ I say, turning back to the look at the others. Finley and Leo are hugging Barb.

She looks happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. Possibly ever.

She has her family back.

Nothing can be gained by telling her the truth now.

As Davina said – best to let sleeping dogs lie.

*

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to my wonderful agent, Anne Williams, for your unwavering support and editorial insight – I’m very lucky to have you. Thanks to my editor, Katie Loughnane, for helping make this novel the best it could be and whose dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism never fails to impress me. The idea for this book began while we enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tea together (a G&T or two may have been consumed). I think this is the best way to discuss all future ideas. Thank you to Sabah Khan, for your PR support and for all the hard work you put in to helping raise my author profile. My book launches have been such a lot of fun with you and Katie making the journey down to my neck of the woods! Huge thanks for your ongoing support and friendship. My thanks to the whole of the Avon team who work tirelessly to champion books and get them into the hands of as many readers as possible. Thank you to my local Waterstones (Newton Abbot) and manager, Lee Auburn, for supporting my books and launches.