I’m not entirely sure I will introduce her to the other mums. Not yet, anyway. I need to keep Kate to myself until I’ve worked out who Bella really is. ‘Bring Bella along tomorrow too – if you don’t think she’ll be bored.’

‘Thanks, I will if that’s okay. She’ll be fine – she’ll have her phone.’

‘How old is she?’ I try to sound casual, but I’m sure my cheeks are scarlet.

‘Bella? She’ll be twelve in February, but she’s already displaying teenagery signs. Heaven help me!’

‘Is she with you now?’ I ask, my pulse quickening at the thought of seeing her again.

‘No, she started at St Margaret’s today, so I’ve got to shoot straight home after picking these two up.’

My heart drops with disappointment. But at least I’ll get to spend tomorrow after school with her. Maybe I can engage her in conversation. Discover what she’s like – her personality, her hobbies. See if she takes after me in any way. I know I’m getting way ahead of myself, but I can’t help it. The school bell rings, yanking me out of my reverie. ‘If you like,’ I suggest, ‘I can pick your two up with Jess and Charlie tomorrow, and walk home with them. That way you can go to St Margaret’s to pick Holl— Bella up and come straight over to mine afterwards.’

She thinks for a second. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Okay, that would be great. Thanks.’

‘You’ll just need to let their teachers know. Send a note in tomorrow.’

‘Brilliant. Thank you.’

I realise I’m probably coming across as too good to be true. She might start getting spooked by my over-friendliness. I need to rein it back a bit. I’m worried I’m losing my judgement, but I can’t stop over-analysing everything. My brain is cloudy. I really do like Kate, but what if she turns out to be the person who ruined my life? Right now, though, I can barely concentrate on a word she’s saying. I’m so nervous about seeing Bella again tomorrow that I’m not sure how I’m going to get through the next twenty-four hours.

5

Then

Driving out of the car park and merging into the long stream of traffic, Catriona tries to keep herself under control as the windscreen wipers do their frantic, noisy sweeping. If she can stay calm, and make herself believe that this is all okay, then she’s sure everything will work out fine. She can’t let herself think about anything else. She keeps telling herself that they’ve just been for a lovely afternoon outing to the mall, and now they’re heading back home. All perfectly normal. Nothing odd about that.