Finally, the man calms down somewhat and apologises. ‘I’m sorry for shouting at you and grabbing your coat. It’s just, it’s a brand new car.’ He looks genuinely miserable and I end up feeling sorry for the trouble I’ve caused him. Finally, he gets back into his Lexus and I don’t waste any more time. I dash across the road and head down the side street – a narrow residential road with a lot of parked cars – but, unsurprisingly, all this time later I can’t see the couple anywhere.

They could have gone into one of the properties or got into a car and driven away. Why did I have to crash into that stupid car? I’m such an idiot. I spend the next twenty minutes walking up and down the side street, peering down connecting roads and into people’s windows, trying not to look suspicious. The last thing I need is for someone to call the police, thinking I’m casing the area. It feels like I’m wasting my time anyway. They’re obviously long gone. I berate myself for not concentrating on the road. But it really shocked me to see Dina’s face again after so many years.

Of course, I only saw her from a distance, so I know the chance of it actually being her is slim. After all, I haven’t heard from my little sister in ten years.

Not since she went missing.

Nine

NOW

When I finally reach Celia’s bungalow, I’m properly shaking, and it’s got nothing to do with Madeline’s weird new attitude towards me. Did I really just see Dina walking along that road? Or am I losing the plot? I barely even register the fact that the front of my Corsa is all banged up. Things are so out of kilter at the moment that my car accident feels like barely more than a blip. Everything has been overshadowed by that possible sighting of my sister.

But if she’s really back, then why hasn’t she been in contact? And who was the guy she was with? I guess I should call Dad. Then again, I don’t want to get his hopes up.

Outside, the sky is so dark and heavy with rain it feels like dusk, not nine in the morning. Celia’s red Smart car is parked in the drive and her kitchen light is on. I see her at the window washing up, her head bowed over the sink. As I head towards the front door she glances up and waves, her face lighting up at the sight of me. Good. At least she’s not blanking me too.