She nods at Tom. ‘Is this true, Tom, did Sally not agree?’

‘I didn’t have a choice, the court placed him into our care until the next hearing, which is…’

‘When did all this happen?’

‘Yesterday.’

‘And you couldn’t tell me last night?’

Burke touches her colleague on the arm and walks out into the hallway leaving Tom and I to do battle. Apparently, Tom attempted to tell me last night but everything got side-tracked when Cian mentioned the woman looking in the window. I have to hand it to Tom. He can grow excuses like no one else. The guy would attempt to dig himself out of his own grave.

There’s no point arguing with him anymore. He’s a coward, has been since this whole thing erupted, allowing me to discover everything before he admits to any of it. I’m liking him less and less.

‘Sal…’ Tom walks over and sits by my side. Putting his arm around my shoulder he starts to cry. ‘I’m so sorry, Sal, sorry for this whole mess. I can’t believe I brought this on the family, on you. I love you, you’re my world and now look what I’ve done.’

I want to believe him, I do believe him, but it doesn’t change anything. Before I get a chance to reply Amber enters. Her face is ashen.

‘What were the cops doing here again?’ she says to Tom. He releases his hold on me, wiping his eyes as he stands up to answer her.

‘She called to tell us they’re looking for a woman in connection with Kenny’s mom’s murder. And we’ve to be vigilant. So no going out, Amber, for the next few days. I want you here at all times unless you’re in school.’

‘That’s not fair, what about Saturday, it’s Sarah’s birthday.’

‘It’s not about being fair it’s about being safe,’ Tom says, turning the tap on to fill a glass with water. His mouth must be dry from giving orders to his daughter. It’s not from challenging the cop.

‘But…’

Tossing his head back he swallows the water down in one go.

‘We’ll wait and see, Amber. Saturday is a few days away, hopefully they’ll have found the woman by then.’

Amber turns to walk out the door, her feet stomping like she’s only just been promoted to a teenager.

‘This is all your fault,’ she says, slamming the door behind her.

Tom turns to face me, his tortured eyes meeting mine, waiting for my comment.

‘Well, she’s right there.’