‘You don’t have to make it up to me, Nessa,’ she says as we pull up in front of her imposing double-fronted Victorian terrace. ‘Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Connor but you haven’t been yourself lately, even before the split. Jack’s noticed it too. You’ve always been so sensible, so focused and together, but recently, well, it’s … it’s like you’ve turned into a different person.’

She switches off the engine and turns to face me. Her black hair is falling messily out of its bun, her face – free of make-up – pale and lined. For the first time I see that my sister is getting old and that makes me feel scared. Time is rushing like a torrent, unrelenting and out of control.

‘If there’s anything you want to tell me,’ Georgie continues, ‘you can. You know that, don’t you? After Mum, we all … well, you know what happened. But sometimes I think we should have looked after you better. The fact that you were so studious and sensible made us think you were stronger than you were.’

The mention of Mum brings the tears to my eyes again. I blink them back, then turn to my sister and smile.

‘I’m fine, Georgie,’ I say, unclipping my seat belt. ‘Honestly, I am.’

‘Oh, there’s Jack,’ she says, waving.

I turn to see my brother-in-law standing in the doorway, the light from the hallway pouring out on to the small front garden and the street.

‘He’s been very worried,’ says Georgie, getting out of the car. ‘He’ll be so relieved to have you back.’

It doesn’t look like that to me, I think to myself as I follow Georgie up the path. In fact, the look on Jack’s face is more anger than relief.

‘Vanessa, what on earth was all that about?’ he says, ushering us inside.

‘It’s fine, darling. It was all a big mistake,’ says Georgie, taking his arm. ‘They just wanted to ask her a few questions and now they’ve let her go. No further action.’

He doesn’t look convinced, but slowly follows Georgie into the living room.

‘I’m going to head up to bed,’ I call, tiredness gripping my bones now. ‘Thanks again for picking me up, Georgie, and I’m sorry for being such a pain.’

Georgie comes to the door of the living room. Her face is drawn but she smiles warmly.

‘Okay. Well, goodnight, darling,’ she says, blowing me a kiss. ‘Get a good rest and we’ll chat some more in the morning.’

She goes back into the living room and, as I walk up the stairs, I hear Jack’s voice. ‘You know I had poor old Mr Allen at the door? He’d seen the police car pulling away and got worried. Good grief, what’s she playing at, Georgie?’