Laurel leaned over and enveloped her niece in a huge hug. She wanted to say, ‘Who are these fucking monsters? I’ll spoil their Christmas shopping!’ But she knew that was what Fliss would term ‘an unhelpful reaction’. Fliss was big on not meeting violence with violence, or abuse with abuse. She said there was always another resolution. Channelling Fliss, she said, ‘The first thing to do is find someone to tell.’

‘Yeah.’ Daisy leaned her head on Laurel’s, as if exhausted. ‘But I couldn’t tell a teacher because they’d have to tell Mum. If she finds out I’ve been having hassle because of her—’

‘We won’t let that happen,’ Laurel said gently, easily picturing Rea beside herself with guilt and her stress levels going stratospheric. ‘I can come into school. I’m sure that if I explain the sensitivity of the situation we can solve it without them involving your mum – just this once, obviously. Don’t worry. We’ll fix this. I’ll make it stop. It’ll be easy to prove if the girls are stupid enough to text you like that.’ Laurel held Daisy tightly, hoping she was saying the right things. Maybe she’d call Fliss later and check.

‘Thank you.’ Daisy hesitated. ‘When you talk to someone, can it be Mr Williams, my form teacher? Not Mr Cassidy. He’s Niall’s dad and it’s weird enough going to his house and that.’

‘OK.’ Laurel had no trouble agreeing with that request. She smoothed back Daisy’s hair. ‘Didn’t you even tell Niall or Zuzanna what was happening?’ Daisy’s headshake told Laurel how mortified her niece must have been at the prospect of her mum being ridiculed, having seen how tight-knit the three teens were. Aunt and niece sat together until Laurel caught the sound of footsteps on the landing. ‘Sounds like your mum’s finished in the bath. You run upstairs and bathe your face in cold water so she doesn’t know you’ve been upset. Give yourself a bit of time if you want it. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.’

After Daisy had hugged her and scurried upstairs, a shaken Laurel rushed through the final preparations for the casserole before Rea appeared. Poor little Daisy had enabled the bullies by trying to protect Rea.

Laurel had every sympathy.

She’d kept what had happened to her from Rea for exactly the same reason.

Ten minutes later, Rea arrived looking rosy and relaxed from the bath. ‘What a treat. I topped the hot water up twice and read all of Garden News. I love you being here.’