Laurel sat through Christmas Day TV: an old Morecambe and Wise show and some gig by one of Daisy’s favourite bands, which she was apparently able to watch at the same time as gaming on her new red Nintendo Switch. Rea and Terri chattered about the cottage in Main Road and Terri excitedly emailed the estate agent asking to view it when the world reopened after Christmas. She and Opal had agreed not to exchange Christmas wishes and Terri had said bravely, ‘A clean break’s best.’ She did check her phone, though.

So did Laurel. She wanted to thank Grady for the beautiful forget-me-not, which lay as light as a feather against her throat, but didn’t know when or how.

Hopelessness lay on her like an iron weight.

Grady’s brother would always be his brother. Look at the way he’d turned on the big brother tap yesterday and ushered Pippa out as if she was just a minor matter to be dealt with, not a woman who’d never let up in her demands that Grady do something totally unreasonable. Mac had executed his intervention perfectly, almost as if saying to Laurel, ‘Look how brotherly I am.’ Like she didn’t know. Like that wasn’t the crux of the whole damned mess.

Her sleepless night caught up with her and she found herself drowsing in the chair before the TV, not really part of the conversation until Daisy’s clear voice said, ‘Won’t you, Laurel?’

She blinked her way back wakefulness. ‘Won’t I what?’

Daisy was holding both their coats. ‘Niall’s invited me round to play his new Xbox game. Mum’s been out once today. Can you walk me round there? Or,’ she added, brightening, ‘I could go on my own. It’s not like it’s late.’

Laurel looked owlishly at the big old-fashion mantel clock. The hands stood at just after seven.

‘You’re not walking on your own,’ Rea said quietly. ‘Maybe you could just leave it for tonight?’

Daisy set her jaw. ‘But I want to go. Laurel will do it.’

Rea looked reluctant. ‘You shouldn’t expect, Daisy. Maybe Terri could—’

She looked so uncomfortable that Laurel interposed quickly, ‘I’ll do it, Rea. I need to thank Grady, anyway.’ She hoped she didn’t sound as nervous as she felt about that.