The guy wasn’t listening, just started to walk away laughing out loud. ‘You still don’t recognise me do you, Donny Knight? I knew our paths would cross again one day. I’ll see you soon. Give my regards to Susan, by the way.’

What the hell? Donny stood in the rain trying to make sense of what had just happened.

He cleared the glass off the driver’s seat and sat with his head resting on the steering wheel. He just wanted everything to go back to normal. He wanted his wife back home where she belonged and to be curled up on the sofa with her. He looked at his phone; nothing from Susan. He tried calling her but the phone just rang and rang, no answer. He’d text her instead. He had to tell her again how much he loved her, adored her and how sorry he was that this had come back to haunt him. He read over the message a few times before he sent it. He had to find a way of convincing her it was all just a mistake and he could put this nightmare behind him.

Donny was just about to turn the key in the ignition when he noticed a car creeping past him. Why was it going so slowly? He squinted into the darkness but he couldn’t see who was driving. Things were going from bad to worse.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Tina rushed up the stairs with Chris screaming behind her. ‘Why are you leaving like this? We can sort things out. I’ll have a word with the kids and things will change. Don’t leave me, Tina. I love you.’

She headed into the bedroom and opened her wardrobe. ‘No, Chris. It’s time to start thinking about what I want in life. For years I’ve been a fucking skivvy for this family and it’s only now I can see it. Working all hours at school then coming home and doing it all over again. You’ve sat on your arse and let me run about after your bleeding kids. All I ever wanted was my own child and you didn’t give a flying toss.’

He was behind her now, trying to turn her to face him. ‘I wanted the same as you, love. It’s not my fault you couldn’t have a baby. I wanted the same as you, I love you more than anything.’

‘Change the fucking record, Chris. You wanted someone to look after you and your kids. Their mother has been back in their lives for ten minutes and it’s like she’s the fucking chosen one. Where is my thanks for all I have done for them?’

‘I’ve backed you all the way, Tina. Nevaya has been told, Charlie has too. The kids love you. It must be hard for them seeing Wendy again after all these years. She is their mother.’