Darren’s family felt terribly guilty about the rift, so they saw to all of the funeral arrangements. Insisted upon it. They drove down to London after they heard the news. Then drove Catriona and Grace back up with them a week later. And they’ve been taking care of Catriona like she’s one of the family. It suited Catriona to have the funeral away from London, and they’re doting on Grace. Darren was their only son. His parents and two sisters are beside themselves with grief and guilt. So now Grace is everything to them. Their only tangible link to their son and brother.

She knows it’s wrong, but Catriona didn’t invite any of their London friends to come to the funeral. She couldn’t risk them seeing Grace and asking questions. Consequently, Darren’s family are the only people here today whom she actually knows. Catriona realises she can’t hide away in the loos all afternoon, but the funeral at the crematorium earlier was brutal. Watching Darren’s casket slide beyond the curtain. Knowing where it was heading – to be incinerated. She has the fleeting thought that he’s with Grace in heaven. But she can’t think that, because if she does then she’ll have to think about the other Grace. Her mind blurs. She shakes away the image, blinks and stands. Tells herself she only has to endure an hour or two more before this is over.

She attempts to smooth the wrinkles from her black dress, but they refuse to fall out. Instead, they remain stubbornly creased in thick black folds across her thighs and belly. The material is cheap, shiny. She’ll probably get rid of the outfit after today.

Back in the vast reception lounge, Catriona feels lost for a moment until she spies Grace who, upon seeing her, detaches herself from Darren’s dad, runs across the patterned carpet and throws herself at Catriona, wrapping her arms around her legs.

‘Hello, baby. Have you been looking after Nanny and Grandad?’ Catriona crouches down and kisses her daughter’s cheek.

Grace nods.

Catriona is amazed and thankful that her little girl only had a couple of days of tears after Darren’s accident. The worst of her fears have been at night, when she sobs for her mummy. But once Grace is awake and being cuddled by Catriona, she’s perfectly happy again. If perhaps a little subdued. She also seems to fully accept that Catriona is now her mother. She answers to the name Grace easily. It almost scares Catriona how smoothly the child has adapted. But whatever the reason, Catriona is grateful.