“I thought I would follow her,” Mills said. “See what she’s up to. She’s been acting weird – and after last night… the argument…”

“What are you not telling me? If she’s in trouble, I should know about it.”

“I can’t, not yet, because I don’t really know. But that’s why I want to follow her.” She looked earnest, genuinely concerned.

“Fine, go, but let me know what’s going on.”

Mills kissed Helen on the cheek and left in a flash of padded coat and Impulse body spray.

“Where’s she going?” Matt was standing on the stairs, looking half asleep.

“I don’t know,” Helen half-lied. “You’re up early.” Had she wandered into the Twilight Zone? A parallel universe where all the teenagers actually got up and did something constructive on the weekend?

“There was a lot of thumping going on. It woke me up. Where’s Dad?”

“In his study, I think.”

Matt pushed past her into the kitchen and started to make himself some coffee. He didn’t offer Helen one.

“I’ll have one of those if you’re making?” she said, sitting at the table.

He grabbed another mug and slammed it onto the countertop.

“So how are things with Diana?” Helen said carefully.

“They aren’t,” he replied, his voice a low rumble.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just… thought I saw her last night, that’s all.” Helen thought back to the shape moving in the shadows of the shop.

“You couldn’t have. She was here.”

“At the house?”

“She’s been hanging out with Lydia a lot.”

“Oh? That would explain the dramatic makeover.”

“Yeah.”

“So what’s that about then?” Helen pushed.

He kept his back to her, but his shoulders were stiff, drawn up to his shoulders.

“Matt, I’m worried about her. Your dad says to leave it, but I don’t know. Something doesn’t feel right. If you know something…”

“She’s being bullied. Online stuff mostly. Diana saw her phone, saw some of the stuff she was getting, has been supporting her, I guess.”

“Is that all she’s doing?”

“What do you mean?” He spun around, his eyes dangerous.

“I saw them, the other day. They didn’t know I was here and… they were kissing.” Helen’s voice was as quiet and gentle as she could make it.

“No. You’re lying. Lydia said she’s a friend, that’s all.”

Helen paused, not wanting to push it further, but needing to let him know.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the bullying then? I could’ve helped, talked to your dad.”

“Because she doesn’t want you to know. You don’t even see her most days. You look straight through her. Why would she confide in you?”

He was right, of course.

“And Dad would say, Turn the other cheek. What fucking good is that? Anyway, you two have enough going on.”