There was a long pause. ‘Dear God, Lily…’

‘No…’ she cried, and then faltered. ‘At least, I knew they were friends – they came to Cambridge a couple of times, okay?’

‘To Cambridge?’

‘When Dylan bunked off…’

‘Are you listening to this?’ Lucas looked at Esther, also shaking her head in despair.

‘But I never knew they were, like, together,’ Lily wailed. ‘It was only twice, and ages ago…’

‘Do you know, Lily, I am not sure I will ever believe another word you say? Not a single bloody one, about anything…’

‘Lucas,’ Esther hissed.

‘I thought I could trust you, Lily,’ Lucas ploughed on bitterly. ‘You, of all people, I thought—’

‘Lucas, enough.’ Esther raised her voice this time. ‘Do not get me started on the subject of trust, okay?’ She took her eyes off the road to glare, boring into his soul, it felt like. ‘Without Lily, there would have been a total blackout. She was the one who insisted he stay in touch. She deserves credit for that.’

‘Great. Yes. The bloody postcards. We thank you, Lily, for that small mercy.’ Lucas swung his gaze back to the wipers. The sleet was thickening now, becoming more like snow. ‘Sorry.’ He reached out and put his hand over Esther’s as it lay lightly on the gear stick, letting his palm rest over her knuckles. She made no acknowledgement of its presence. Indeed, the expression on her face, staring straight ahead – the focus, the contained strength and pain – reminded him suddenly of how she had been in the throes of childbirth, her strong jaw set in defiance of physical agony. Never had he been more in awe of Esther’s power, her courage and her faith in herself.

And now the very progeny of that courage and endurance had turned on her as well as himself, formed a gang with the worst, most forbidding person they could have chosen. His grip over Esther’s hand tightened.

‘I’m sorry, but I really need to pee,’ said Lily miserably, sitting up and peering out at the whiteness streaking past the car windows.

‘It had better be these services, then, unless it is too late.’ Lucas released his hold on Esther in order to point out the sign, only just legible under its flecked screen of snow, and then tensed his entire body as she promptly threaded her way across three slushy lanes of heavy traffic.

They made use of the facilities, bought sandwiches, cereal bars, fruit, and bottles of water, and then stood a little apart as they took to their phones. There was a message from Heidi, one of the new curt ones.

I am sorry for your news and wish you luck today. H.