Natalie grimaced and gave an awkward thumbs-up.

With the engine running, Mario waited while Jeannie and Eddie clunked and clicked. Just before they pulled away, Bess’s dad reached back between the seats and took her hand.

‘You were wonderful today. I’m very proud of you – proud of you both.’ He squeezed Mario’s shoulder. ‘Giving up is easy. It’s finding a way forward that’s tough.’

‘Thank you, Dad.’

‘And your mum and I have discussed this, and so I don’t want to hear any refusal, but that little girl of yours has missed out on a lot in our family’s lives, so many celebrations, and when and if you see her, we want you to give her this.’

He reached into his pocket and Bess shook her head. ‘No, Dad, you really don’t have to give her money. And you know, I might not even get to see her, not ever.’ She tried to manage their expectations, the words bitter on her tongue.

‘Money? It’s not money, love – it’s far more precious than money.’

Bess looked down at his shiny harmonica as he pushed it into her palm. ‘If you get to see your little girl, tell her her grandad sent her this.’

Bess couldn’t speak, emotion stoppering the words in her throat. She nodded and sat back in the seat, as her husband drove out of the car park. They made the journey back to her house in silence, all a little exhausted and her keen to get back to Chutney, who she found snoring, oblivious to all the drama of the day. Mr Draper had very kindly let him out for a pee.

‘Right then, who wants fish and chips? Come on, we need to celebrate! My treat – I’ll take Chuts and run up the chippy,’ Bess said, clapping for hush so she could take their orders. ‘It’s not every day we become grandparents.’

‘Smashing!’ Mario rubbed his stomach as he lowered his voice. ‘And then an early night, I think. There might or might not be a card waiting for you on your pillow, Mrs Talbot.’

‘Any ducks?’

‘No ducks,’ he said, kissing her.

Her dad shouted, ‘I’ll have a saveloy, no salt and vinegar, and I’ll share chips with your mum. They always give me too many.’ He sat in front of the TV, channel-surfing. The phone rang in the kitchen. Her mum was at the counter, reading the front of the free paper that was spread out on the work surface.

‘They’re opening a new Aldi!’ she said, tapping the paper.

‘That’ll be nice.’ Bess paid little attention to her mother’s news about the superstore and went to grab the phone. ‘Hello?’