I realise that was a weird question for me to ask and it didn’t come out as casually as I was aiming for. In fact, it was probably verging on creepy. But I can’t help myself. When I saw Bella my reaction was so visceral that I can’t ignore it. There has to be some reason why she provoked such strong emotions in me. The only explanation I can think of is that it’s some mother–daughter bond. Of course there’s the chance that she isn’t my daughter. That it’s just a coincidence she happens to look so much like Holly. But how can I ignore the possibility that she might be. If there’s even the tiniest probability that she’s my missing child, then I have to find out for certain.

I’m pretty sure Matt is raising his eyebrows at me again, so I purposely don’t look in his direction. Instead, I turn back to Shaun, unable to stop my line of questioning now I’ve started. ‘It’s funny, isn’t it, how she has such different colouring when your other two have such fair hair and blue eyes?’

Shaun shrugs, starting to appear slightly uncomfortable. ‘I suppose so.’

‘Because Jess has dark hair and dark eyes like me. And Charlie has fair hair and blue eyes like his dad.’

I glance at Kate, who suddenly looks a little pale. I notice she’s stopped eating and has started tearing strips off her paper napkin.

‘Anyone for another top up?’ Matt interrupts. I can feel his eyes trying to connect with mine, trying to silently ask what the hell I’m wittering on about. I can feel how forced my questions are becoming. But I can’t seem to help myself. These people are here in my house, and there’s a chance they’re the people who ruined my life. I know this is the worst way to go about finding anything out, and it’s not as though they’re going to tell me the truth anyway. All I’m doing is making everyone uncomfortable and pushing the Morrises further away, when I should be endearing myself to them and keeping them close.

I notice everyone’s bowls – apart from my own – are empty. I stand abruptly. ‘Let me get you all some seconds.’