‘I know.’ Laurel watched the rain trickling down the windscreen. It made the scenery look as if it were crying. ‘But I’m not telling Rea. I couldn’t bear the questions and it would hurt her to know she didn’t prevent what happened. She did so much for me. And she’d probably call Mac,’ she added, imagining what a shit show that would be. ‘I’m listening to my gut,’ she said, utilising a phrase Fliss used when giving tips on street safety. ‘I’m here to help her with her agoraphobia and with Daisy, not worry her about things we can’t change, especially things that could increase her anxiety. She’s easily overwhelmed and it might make her even more protective than she is with Daisy. It’s up to me to find a way to move on from the bad old days.’ Laurel shifted in her seat so she could crook a knee for comfort. ‘Actually, I could use your advice about Mac Cassidy.’

Fliss suddenly sounded completely awake. ‘What’s he done?’

‘Nothing,’ Laurel assured her hastily. ‘If anyone’s done anything, it’s me. I just don’t seem to be able to stop making him uncomfortable – deliberately.’ She told Fliss about refusing to talk to Mac alone and making sly jibes that only he’d catch.

Fliss sighed. ‘Nobody could blame you for that. I’m not sure it’s the best thing for you, though.’ They fell silent while Laurel listened to the rain and watched a tatty red van coming from the direction of Bettsbrough, wipers battling the downpour.

Then Fliss spoke again. ‘We frequently talk about not carrying your past into your present but, for you, the two have collided.’ She paused, as if collecting her thoughts. ‘By refusing to listen to him you’re refusing him the means of redeeming himself or apologising. You could look on that as you refusing to allow him to make himself feel better. And apologising rakes up the bad stuff for you, so it might make you feel worse.’ Then she added, ‘But clinging on to bad stuff is rarely positive.’

It was Laurel’s turn to think. The engine purred comfortingly and she turned on the demisters to clear the windscreen. She tried a weak joke. ‘Doesn’t getting petty satisfaction out of making him uncomfortable count as a positive?’

Fliss passed over the opportunity to laugh. ‘You could maybe stay away from him.’

‘Easier said than done.’ Laurel sighed. ‘He’s the dad of one of Daisy’s best friends and also her head of year. Rea’s asked me to be Daisy’s number two contact at school. That means I may need to go in and discuss her skiving. I don’t know much about school structure but what if the meeting is with him?’

Fliss groaned. ‘That would be a challenge. There must be positive aspects of the village you’re living in though.’