Through the sliding doors at the far end of the Emergency Department, Sasha saw the sun lift in the sky. She walked behind the curtain of the cubicle at Southend University Hospital where Angel lay with her eyes shut, fell wearily into a chair beside the bed – she’d been awake all night – and took out her phone. It was way too early to call anyone to ask how the investigation was proceeding, but she could at least check some of her favourite news sites.

But then Angel said, ‘I’m sorry.’

Sasha peered tensely over the top of her screen and knew to temper her response. The truth was, now she knew that Angel was going to be okay, her frantic worry was curdling into anger. But Angel was still ill and scared, and her harsh words would have to wait. Her first priority was to make sure her daughter was fully recovered, then there would be time for straight talking.

‘We all make mistakes,’ Sasha said, trying to draw a line under the conversation. ‘The main thing, right now, is to get you home. Then we can decide what to do about the damage to the house.’

‘It’s not my fault,’ said Angel.

Sasha sucked down a sharp breath. She was willing to kick her anger down the road for a couple of days, but it was important Angel took some responsibility for her actions.

‘Of course it’s your fault,’ she replied in a strained singsong.

‘It was only meant to be a few friends coming round, but then someone must have put it onto WhatsApp or whatever, and tons of people turned up. Suddenly the house was full. I don’t even know who most of them were. I was going to phone you, really I was, but I was too scared of what you would say.’

‘Let’s not talk about it.’

‘You’re angry with me – you say you ain’t, but you are, I can see it in the way your face is all pinched. That’s how it goes, when you’re pissed off, it gets all…’ Angel made a sour face.

‘Angel.’ Sasha heard the strain in her own voice. ‘I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just get home. I’m not angry, but I am very, very disappointed.’

‘And, anyway,’ Angel said bitterly, ‘what kind of mother would leave her teenage daughter alone all night so she could swan off to a hotel?’

Sasha’s jaw dropped open just as Kev came through the curtain and asked, ‘Everything alright?’

If he sensed the tension in the cubicle he ignored it, and went straight to his daughter to kiss her on the forehead.

‘I think so.’ Angel fluttered her eyelids. ‘I feel a little better, I suppose.’