‘I don’t know,’ she mused. ‘And I guess that’s half the problem. But I do know what it felt like to believe in love – so much so that the thought of a marriage proposal filled me with joy, not dread, but I won’t feel that again because I know it’s not real. I think there are some exceptions: what Mum and Dad had was real, rare and special.’ This admission was a big deal, hinting at a recovery of her heart, but was lost among the next wave of sadness that hit hard.

‘Dad really liked him after spending time with him at my wedding,’ her sister added. These words were enough to make all three girls cry harder, with thoughts of Ben on that proud, proud day. They foraged for tissues and wiped their faces.

‘I can’t believe that was the last time I saw him. Why didn’t I come home again? I feel as if I’ve let him down,’ Merrin cried.

‘Oh, don’t worry, that wasn’t why you let Dad down, Merry.’

She and Bella looked towards Ruby, whose words had been cutting, and Merrin felt her pulse quicken.

‘What d’you mean by that?’ She sat up straight and turned towards her sister. This barb was too deep and painful to ignore.

‘Nothing.’ Ruby twisted in the chair to get comfortable.

‘Ruby! You can’t say something like that and just expect me to drop it!’ She was aware of Ruby and Bella sharing a knowing look, and this only added fuel to the twin flames of intrigue and unease. ‘How did I let Dad down?’ she pushed. Even asking the question was enough to make her throat close with distress and for tears to form and slip down the back of her nose.

‘By up and leaving, by not being here.’

‘Stop, Ruby! Just bloody stop!’ Merrin’s voice was strong. ‘You told me once before what a rubbish daughter I was in going away, and it hurt me more than you know. But Mum and Dad seemed to understand a lot more than you do that it was about my survival! I did what I had to do to grow, to get over what Digby did to me! And so don’t you dare, just don’t!’ She raised her voice a little, wary of waking Glynn. ‘In fact, it’s not about Mum and Dad, Ruby, is it? It’s about you and some stupid jealousy that has always hung around you like a bad smell. It needs to stop, it just needs to stop! I’ve had enough.’

‘You’ve had enough? And don’t even start me on Jarvis. My Jarvis!’ she enunciated. ‘My Jarvis? That’s what you said!’