Laurel could see that it wouldn’t take too many episodes as Rea described to seriously affect stability and that what happened at Daisy’s parents’ evening had taken her to breaking point. She shifted over to sit beside her sister on the sofa and take her hand. ‘I’m here for you, Rea. I’m not going to pressure you, but I think there’s more help available than you’re admitting. Maybe you’re not ready to hear it. If and when you are, I’ll support you any way I can. I’ll drive you to appointments, sit with you in waiting rooms, be in the room while you talk on the phone or via video call. Whatever you need.’ Vision blurring, she slid her arms around her elder sister and hugged her tight. ‘You lean on me – just like I used to lean on you.’ This made three people in one evening Laurel had offered a shoulder to but none was more important than her sister. Rea was as fragile as the November ice crusting the puddles outside.

Rea returned the hug. ‘You are the best sister in the world.’

‘No, you are.’ Laurel swallowed a lump in her throat. ‘There’s no shame in needing help, or speaking to the right person.’ It had been Fliss who’d made Laurel see that when trauma touched someone they carried it with them. Don’t let anyone diminish your feelings. It wasn’t just horseplay that got out of hand. What happened to you was assault.

Laurel murmured to Rea, ‘You’re perfectly entitled to understanding and help. Your situation is real.’

Rea laid her head against Laurel’s. ‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ she murmured.

‘I’ll be here as long as you need me.’ Laurel’s move to the coast receded a few more months in her mind.

Chapter Eight

Sunday. Ten-thirty. Village meeting at The Angel.

Grady. Big, thumping headache. Wished he could stay in bed.

Seated at the big table, he awaited the arrival of the last few attendees, tuning out Carola who was discussing roles with Iris at the other end of the table. The Public was now festooned with flashing white fairy lights. The throbbing in his head kept time. Ow. Ow. Ow.

He was halfway down his first large black coffee and had a second lined up on the table before him in a red take-out cup, although he knew he should really be drinking water. His stomach was queasy and his mouth dry. He shouldn’t have opened that third bottle of wine. He sighed. When Mac arrived, Laurel hadn’t hung around long. Later, he’d suggested Mac think about whether Grady had company before utilising his spare key. Mac had brushed it aside with a fresh comment about Grady not answering his phone. They’d gone on to discuss Pippa’s crazy idea and Mac hadn’t asked anything about Laurel.