But a man doesn’t show his mother everything. After all, Barb was all Nick had. His biggest supporter, his confidante. He wouldn’t want her to know every side of him. What lay beneath the surface. Because that would ruin her perfect vision of her son.

And now, I can’t ruin it either.

‘He’s a good man, Barb. A good father, too. But we just don’t fit together anymore.’

‘I disagree,’ she says, wriggling free of my arm. ‘And I don’t want you to leave this house.’

Barb gets up and joins the squealing boys in the lounge, leaving me in little doubt she’s my saboteur.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Barb

I’m not getting a particularly strong vibe of confidence from Amber about Richard. I’m sure I could introduce more doubt and make her think again about her decision to sell up and leave. I’ve been working from one side – in putting prospective buyers off where possible – and now I need to chip away at Amber’s perception of this “new life” with a man she barely knows and make sure to put her off him. Without meeting the man, I realise this won’t be easy. Nick said he’s had a colleague look into Richard, but I don’t know how thorough that was. I also have to consider the fact Nick was telling me that just to get me off his back.

Leo shouts so close to my ear I can hear a high-pitched ringing.

‘It’s your turn!’ he yells.

My mind was elsewhere. I’ve not been playing this game properly from the off. I’ve too much planning to do. ‘Sorry, I don’t think Nanna is very good at this game.’

‘You just need to consencrate, Nanna,’ he says, putting a hand on mine. Bless him. He is so similar to Tim. Tim used to muddle his words too. I close my eyes for a moment, remembering our last conversation – the anger and hurt in his voice. The fear.

‘Don’t cry, Nanna, it’s difficult to get the hang of it at first, but with practice …’ Finley says. I catch the tears with my fingertips. I hadn’t realised I was crying until he said.

‘I’m a silly Nanna, aren’t I?’ I say, getting up. ‘I’ll just pop to the bathroom; you two carry on without me.’