Liza was so shocked she didn’t move. The cat nudged her hand and she tentatively stroked him. It was the first time Popeye had ever sought attention or affection from her.

“What’s going on with you?” She stroked his fur and heard him purr. Maybe the cat was finally warming up to her. A bit like her mother.

The thought made her laugh.

Popeye was still on her lap when Kathleen called, at exactly the time they’d arranged.

“Do you have the letters?”

“Yes. I’ve made sure they’re in date order and I have the first two right here.” Liza slid off her shoes and lay on the bed, careful not to disturb the cat. “You haven’t changed your mind? I’m worried if it might be difficult or upsetting.” It couldn’t be easy handling the fact that the man you’d loved and planned to marry had conducted an affair with your best friend. No wonder her mother had walked away. No wonder her mother hadn’t been in touch with Ruth, or opened those letters.

“I’m sure. Martha and Josh have gone out for breakfast and to explore some of the local sights recommended in the guidebook, so I have this time undisturbed.”

Liza opened the first letter. It was dated September 1960.

“Dearest Kate,

I’m not sure if you’ll read this. I won’t blame you if you don’t, but I’m writing it anyway. There are things I need to say even if you’re not going to hear them. It’s ironic, isn’t it, that the one person I was always able to say anything to (you!) is now no longer here to listen. It is a great loss, and the blame for that loss lies entirely with me. You’ve been the very best friend to me since that very first day at college, and you stayed that way until the end.

This should never have happened of course, and if I had been as good a friend to you as you have always been to me, then I would not find myself in the position of having to write these words. But I am not you, no matter how many times in the past I have wished to be blessed with even a few of your qualities.

I should be wishing this had never happened, and yet how can I? I cannot begin to explain the emotional turmoil and confusion that comes from knowing that my greatest joy came at the expense of your happiness, and our friendship. The knowledge that I hurt you deeply is something I live with every day.