He’d have a quiet word with Miss Radcliffe tomorrow, and maybe Bella too, just to see what she thought. Though he didn’t want to add any more stress on her at the moment. But whoever he spoke to, that would be the end of it. All done and dusted, no need to worry.

‘I just don’t think it hurts to be prepared, that’s all,’ Trish continued. ‘And you want to make sure you’re following their procedures. Right, dinner, boys.’

Within seconds they came running out, Freddie’s eyes lighting up at the feast before him. Whatever Nick had to do he would protect his boy. After all he’d been through, he deserved a break and Nick was going to make sure he got one.

Chapter 7

Bella thrust her hands deep into the pockets of her coat as she strolled to Bluebell Park. The icy November wind whipped around her face, freezing her cheeks and chilling her fingers through the thick wool of her gloves, but it would have been silly to drive such a short distance.

She exited Dairy Lane and followed the curve of the green and the duck pond before heading up Mill Lane and on towards the posh houses on the outer road. A pale lemon sun snuck out from between light grey clouds. The rain had stayed away, and it was a bright, crisp winter’s day. Bella took big deep breaths of the cold air and before long, the playground, nestled in the middle of Bluebell Park between woods and banks of trees, came into view. Soon it would be full of children running around, screaming and giggling as they climbed on the giant wooden climbing frame or swung on the swings but for now, all was quiet.

Bella loved the stillness of the park in the mornings. At half past eight, the sun had only just made it into the sky and a dusky hue spread over the world. It was that special time of day before everyone arrived and the singing of birds was hidden behind chatter. Before long, crowds would meander along the woodland paths and amble in and out of the trees. Not many people saw the park like this. In the middle of their little piece of the countryside, families would soon huddle on the benches, cupping steaming hot drinks in gloved hands to stave off the chill. It always amazed Bella how children didn’t feel the extremes of heat and cold as adults did. They were always so busy enjoying the moment to think about it.