Grady settled his backside against his tool chest and folded his arms. ‘That Amie ripped her earring out then said if Laurel told anyone you and your buddies would back Amie up that Laurel was lying. Apparently the bullying began after you and Laurel had a spat.’ He then repeated what Laurel had told him.

Mac stiffened, his gaze sliding away from Grady’s. ‘You know I went through a troublesome teen patch. I’m not proud of how I was. Amie was up for a lot of sex so I closed my eyes to her antics, even though I knew she hated Laurel and gave her grief. I was trying to apologise to Laurel on Sunday when I asked to speak privately. I guess she realised it and so made that crack about not being alone with men.’

A small shock shimmered through Grady at having to face past unpleasant aspects to his brother’s personality. However, he looked so wretched that Grady didn’t point out Mac had lied when he’d said he wanted to talk to Laurel about Aspirations Week. Instead, he suggested, ‘If you get another chance, just apologise. It’s probably better late than never.’ He clapped a comforting hand on his brother’s arm.

Mac nodded. ‘Is she here to stay?’

Grady shrugged. ‘For the next few months at least, she said. She’s recently divorced and seems concerned about her sister and niece.’

He didn’t ask himself why his heart lightened at the idea.

Chapter Five

Tangled in the duvet, trapped in a sweaty dream, Laurel tried to shout to her younger self.

Walking across the playing fields in the dark alone ought to be safe but go round by the road!

There are four people drinking on a bench. You have time to turn back to the Christmas lights of the village hall.

Instead, she had to watch helplessly as sixteen-year-old Laurel decided to show Amie bloody Blunt she wasn’t scared of her and her horrible cronies – Grady’s brother Mac and his buddies Jonny and Ruben.

Young Laurel shoves her chin in the air and doesn’t deviate from her route across the grass, ignoring Amie’s strident little voice. ‘Look at the size of those ugly great hooters. You’re a freak, Laurel Hill.’

Heartbeat threatening to choke her, Laurel sneers back. ‘You’re just jealous ’cos you’ve got two fried eggs for boobs.’ And fury crosses Amie’s face.

Laurel tried to drag herself to the surface, to reassure herself that she was thirty-five now and knew how to keep herself safe … but the dream refused to let her go.

Amie jumping up and blocking Laurel’s path. Mac, Jonny and Ruben, visibly tipsy on cider, laughing and joining in. Amie scurrying behind Laurel like a troll in a computer game to grasp the shoulders of her half-fastened coat and yank them down.