I glance back at Nick and Madeline’s house before starting up the engine, half expecting to see my sister-in-law watching me from one of the windows. But as far as I can see, they’re blank, save for their white cat Minnie sitting on one of the upstairs sills, licking her paws. The house is still. I put the car into first gear, pull away noisily from the kerb and make my way down the quiet street. I hope Celia’s home. She works different shifts at the hospital, so it’s pot luck whether she’ll be there or not. Although she’s cut back on her hours this year, so I’m really hoping she’ll be in.

Celia and Malcolm only live a few streets away from Nick and Madeline. A couple of years ago, my parents-in-law moved from their large 1930s house to a smaller modern bungalow. At first, Nick and Toby were horrified by the move. They couldn’t believe their mother and father were selling their beloved family home. But Celia insisted that the bungalow was far more practical. Their old house had too many maintenance issues, and although Malcolm is really handy, she didn’t want him spending his days with a toolkit in hand, or up a ladder fixing the roof and gutters.

I turn left and wait while a woman in gym gear and a high ponytail jogs across the road, pushing a souped-up baby buggy. The woman waves her thanks and I continue down the road, still hardly able to believe that Madeline wouldn’t open her door to me.

On the opposite side of the road I notice a couple walking towards me, hand in hand. He’s tall and dark-haired with a beard, bundled up in a scarf and thick navy parka. She’s small, wearing a stylish red wool coat and black gloves; her hair is long, dark and wavy. She looks so familiar that I almost don’t register it. But then it dawns on me – she’s the spitting image of my sister! Same height, same face, same way of walking. It’s her. The hair’s a little longer and it’s wavy instead of straight, but it’s been so long since I last saw her. ‘Dina!’ I cry, despite the fact that my window is up and she won’t be able to hear me.

There’s an almighty bang and I realise with a sinking sensation that I’ve rear-ended the car in front – a newish looking Lexus. I hadn’t even noticed there was a car there; I obviously wasn’t concentrating. I turn back to where the couple were walking a second ago and catch sight of a flash of red disappearing around the corner of a side street. If that really was Dina, I can’t let her disappear. I have to go after her!