‘You walk through that door, Judith Harris,’ Patricia hissed, ‘it’ll be for the last time, you mark my words.’

‘Good luck at the doctor’s, Mum! Get well soon!’ Judith shouted, bordering on hysteria as she stepped outside. And as she took a few steps away from the house she heard the sound of the Alka-Seltzer glass being hurled at the living-room wall.

‘DON’T YOU EVER COME BACK, D’YOU HEAR?’ Patricia screamed.

Judith headed off down the street, feeling like she’d just been punched. She was crushed, defeated and very, very alone.

Fifteen minutes later she was standing at the bus stop, staring in shock at the timetable, tears streaming down her cheeks. Suddenly a voice called out, ‘How’s your mum?’

It was Gareth on his motorbike, the car behind him beeping impatiently at the hold-up. For some reason she felt irritated seeing him there. He pulled into the bus stop.

‘I’ve just missed it,’ she said, her voice shaking. ‘The bus, I mean. Could’ve got to Cardiff in time and a train to Bristol centre and then, I dunno, a taxi maybe, but now I’ve missed the whole bloody …’ and she started crying afresh.

‘Oh. Right.’ He paused. ‘But I thought …’

‘Look, what d’you want, Gareth?’ she snapped, standing there bereft, the rucksack and her wet clothes weighing her down in solidarity with her heavy heart.

He unbuckled the spare bike helmet usually worn by Lana. ‘Jump on the back an’ I’ll take you,’ he said, revving the engine, ready to go.

She didn’t know what to say. She and Gareth barely ever spoke on the rare occasions they were in each other’s company. And now he was offering to do her a massive favour. She remained silent. Unsure.

‘Well, hurry up then,’ he said. ‘We ain’t exactly got all day!’

Within half an hour, they were on the M4 heading east towards Bristol airport.

5

Lana

As only two of them were now being taken to the airport, it meant there was a spare place in the car. And Liz Kelly didn’t need inviting twice to fill it. She told Lana she’d been desperate from the get-go to accompany her daughter to the airport, but Huw’s Ford Sierra wasn’t the roomiest of cars, so she hadn’t been allowed to come. ‘I even toyed with the idea of getting the train there, then travelling back to Wales with Huw, but my entire family told me I was being dramatic!’ she laughed. ‘So I won’t lie, sad as it is that Judith isn’t coming, at least I get to say goodbye to my daughter properly. At the actual departure gate. Like in all the films.’

Catrin rolled her eyes.

The journey to Bristol airport from Coed Celyn was a good two hours, but seemed longer due to the fact that Mr and Mrs Kelly spoke for the entire duration. Lana sat in the back with Catrin, exchanging weak smiles at some of the ludicrous comments coming from the front of the car, but for the most part the two girls were glad to sit and listen, or just switch off. They were still reeling from the news that their best friend wouldn’t be joining them on their much-anticipated trip.