Maybe it’s a fallen tree. The recent rain after the long dry spell may have caused the embankment to slide. This road is known for it. I wish I’d taken the left turning before the roundabout and gone the alternative route. It’s shorter, but narrow, so if you’re unlucky you spend half an hour reversing up and down the same piece of road. This way is longer, but wider. And usually it’s an easier drive.

Sod it. There’s still no movement.

I press the phone icon on the car display and hit School.

‘Oh, hi, it’s Amber Miller,’ I say, relieved it’s Jill who’s picked up. She’s the more amenable of the two school secretaries. ‘I’m so sorry, but I’m going to be late picking Finley and Leo up. There’s some kind of hold-up on—’

‘No worries, Amber,’ Jill says, brightly. ‘Their nan has collected them.’

‘Oh? That wasn’t arranged …’ I press my fingertips to my forehead and with a circular motion rub at the furrows. Why has Barb done that without me asking her to? There’s an uncomfortable pause at the other end of the line.

‘Erm … Barbara Miller is a named guardian; she’s on the list you gave …’

‘Oh, yes, I know. It’s fine, Jill. Don’t worry. I just hadn’t asked her to pick up today, that’s all.’ I finish the call.

What will Barb do with them? She can’t take them home because I had to give the only spare key to Carl. Perhaps she’ll take them to the park. But why didn’t she call me to let me know she wanted to pick them up? She’s always waited to be asked in the past.

A thought pushes itself into my mind, and I immediately try to dismiss it as ridiculous. I’m probably overthinking her actions.

But I can’t help thinking Barb has done this on purpose so she can get my boys to herself.

Chapter Five

Amber

It’s another fifteen minutes before the cars ahead of me finally begin to edge forwards.