He could have groaned aloud. Pippa’s situation wasn’t his fault or his problem but that didn’t stop him feeling shitty to see her in tears. To make things worse, over her shoulder he saw Niall crossing Ladies Lane as he did on school days at this time, en route to the bus stop in Port Road. Niall rarely took advantage of Mac driving to the same school every day as Mac’s school day was much longer than his son’s. Also, Niall preferred to pile on the bus with everyone else so as to not draw attention to the fact he was the son of Mr Cassidy, Head of Year Ten.

Niall looked surprised. Then he grinned. Oh, no, did it look as if Pippa was leaving Grady’s house, as if it was her who’d spent the night? He imagined Niall telling Daisy and Daisy mentioning it to Laurel which, to her, would feel like all kinds of horrible. ‘Hey, Niall,’ he called. ‘Your mum and dad OK?’

Niall paused. ‘Yeah.’ Then, as if an afterthought, ‘Dad’s stressed about work or something. Mum’s worried about him and keeps hugging him and stuff. Hello, Pippa,’ he added, probably wondering why she didn’t turn to greet him. For a couple of years, Pippa had pretty much filled the role of Niall’s aunt.

Still sniffling, Pippa didn’t even answer. Niall looked hurt and Grady felt a surge of irritation. Pippa was upset but Niall was fourteen and wouldn’t understand why he’d been snubbed. Grady gave an expressive eye-roll in the direction of Pippa’s bent head before he said goodbye to Niall and wished him a good day at school.

‘Why are you here, Pippa?’ he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

She blew her nose and took a step. ‘Can I come in?’

He stood his ground. ‘It’s probably not appropriate,’ he said gently. ‘If you’ve come to ask what you asked before, the answer’s still the same.’

Pippa let out another sob. ‘Mum and Dad are coming to ours for Christmas. Zelda’s house is tiny and I’m throwing up every morning. They’re going to hear. Grady if we were—’

‘But we’re not,’ he said, as evenly as he could considering he was stemming rising anger that she was still trying to put him in this horrible position. Although she might have realised it from him brandishing Laurel’s necklace a few minutes ago, he felt the need to add, ‘There’s someone else in my life now. And I know you’ve already spun your story to her and she didn’t fall for it. Though I wouldn’t have made myself a convenience for you, even if she wasn’t a factor,’ he said, as an afterthought.

Pippa showed him a wretched, tear-soaked face. ‘But what about my parents?’