‘This time last year, I never dreamt I’d need a group like this,’ April said, forced momentarily to remember what she had lost, forced to feel it.

Justine gave April a tight squeeze. ‘The first Christmas and New Year are always the hardest, if only because you don’t know what to expect,’ she told her, smoothing over what was hopefully the last faux pas of the night. ‘But don’t forget you have my number if you need someone to talk to.’

‘Thanks, Justine,’ April said, trying not to wince. She gave her a hug and wished her a peaceful Christmas before following Faith and Nick out of the hall and into the cold. Faith was putting on her gloves when April caught up with them. ‘Where are you parked?’

‘Over in the Childe of Hale car park,’ Nick said.

‘I’m going this way,’ April said, pointing over her shoulder to the path that would take her the shortest route to Ivy Farm Court.

‘Right, I’ll see you in the New Year then,’ replied Faith.

‘Wait,’ April said, not ready to say goodbye. ‘What about this holiday of yours? Will you be back in time for the next meeting?’

‘We wouldn’t miss it,’ Nick said before adding an, ‘ouch,’ when Faith gave him a sharp dig with her elbow.

April’s mouth moved, but it took a couple of attempts for her to speak. ‘You’re going together?’

‘Do not tell anyone,’ Faith instructed. ‘God forbid, Justine should find out. She’ll have us banished like Tara and Iain.’

‘But …’ April started, only to find herself lost for words. She was just getting her head around the possibility that they were a thing, but this took it to a whole new level. Wasn’t it too soon to go away together? And what had caused Faith’s sudden change of heart about relationships? The answer to that question was obvious. They looked happy. Setting aside her worries, April offered a smile. ‘Didn’t you tell me two minutes ago not to worry about other people’s feelings? I hope you have a wonderful time.’

‘We will,’ Faith said with a note of surprise, as if she too were stunned by the sudden change of direction her life was taking.

15

Tara watched from a distance as the girls pressed their foreheads against the wrought-iron railings marking the grave of John Middleton. Molly was regaling Lily with stories about the Childe of Hale, not all of them true, and Tara caught the occasional giggle. This wasn’t Lily’s first visit to St Mary’s church, but it was her first trip out without her father. Tara tried not to get too excited. It was only the prospect of walking a dog that had clinched the deal.