I look back to the classroom. I can see Miss Emery flitting about inside, tidying up. Should I go back in and ask her why she reacted the way she did when I told her the estate agent I was using? She was the one who questioned me; I’ve every right to ask why she wanted to know.

‘Come on, Muuuum!’ I hear Finley and Leo shout in unison. ‘We’re bored.’

‘Can you wait just one more minute?’ I call.

‘Awww … Noooooo.’

They have waited for ages in child-time. I begin to walk towards them. My question can wait until I drop them off tomorrow morning.

In my heart, I know I’m putting it off.

I realise I’m afraid to learn Miss Emery’s reason.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Amber

‘Can this day get any more stressful?’ I mutter as I drive into the cul-de-sac, turning right onto our road.

‘What, Mummy?’ Leo says.

‘Nothing.’ I plaster a smile on my face and declare brightly: ‘Nanna’s here!’

Barb is sitting on the front doorstep, a small, box-shaped parcel on her lap. I am so tired I can do without having to speak to her. In fact, until I figure out quite what she’s up to, I’ve no desire to see her. But here she is. Uninvited. Waiting.

I inwardly groan. I’m so not in the mood for this.

‘Hi, Barb,’ I say as I reach her. The boys pile on to her. ‘Careful, boys – you’ll break her.’ There’s no conviction in my warning. ‘You didn’t mention you were coming over?’ I smile, sidling past her to get to the door and pop the key in the lock.

‘I thought I’d surprise you all. Although I must say, I didn’t expect to be waiting for so long. What took you?’

My agitation level increases twofold in a millisecond.

‘She was talking to Miss Emery about me,’ Leo says before I can speak.

‘Oh?’ Barb pulls herself up and walks in behind me. ‘Something wrong?’ She follows me into the kitchen.

‘No, she wanted a catch-up, that’s all,’ I say. The lie comes easily. I don’t want to give Barb any further ammunition. Any mention of Leo suffering with nightmares about the man in the house – and she’ll pounce on it; tell me the untold damage I’m doing to her darling grandsons, how the only way of ensuring they grow up mentally unharmed is to allow Nick back in the house and return to being one big happy family.

Only, I wasn’t happy. And getting back with Nick now would be the worst thing to do. I’m not cruel enough to tell Barb this.

‘Cup of tea?’ I ask politely.