She leaned against the boundary stone wall whilst she weighed up the pros and cons. If she went back now, she would at least have somewhere to lay her head and food in her belly, and she would also be in a position to get her revenge on Roz, even if she didn’t know how as yet. The downside was that she would have to confront her feelings, because she couldn’t possibly avoid her mother when they would be living and working practically cheek by jowl. On the other hand, if she left she wouldn’t have anywhere safe to stay, and food would have to be obtained when and wherever she could pinch it – not only that, but she wouldn’t be in a position to keep an eye on Roz whilst working out the best form of revenge. The only pro to leaving was not having to be near her mother. She sighed heavily before a slow, evil smile spread across her cheeks. Her mother had left her alone, not given two hoots about what happened to her, and got away with it scot-free! If Suzie stayed she would be able to give her mother a taste of her own medicine, because try as she might to make amends, Suzie would not forgive her for what she’d done. Her jaw jutting out in satisfied determination, she made her way back up the drive.

Joyce and Roz were about to show Adele round the farm when the door to the cottage opened. Standing in the open doorway, Suzie stared coolly at her mother. ‘Don’t think I’m back to rekindle our relationship, because I’m not. As far as I’m concerned there is no relationship, and I am not your daughter, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t go telling people otherwise—’ She stopped speaking as Roz spoke over her.

‘Oh, don’t be so ridiculous! You can’t deny your mother – whether you like her or not she’s still your mum.’

Her eyes flashing angrily at Roz, Suzie continued, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. ‘I can do what I want. As far as I’m concerned my mother died six years ago, because the woman who I used to live with would never have turned her back on me. I don’t know who this woman is,’ she said, nodding her head at Joyce, ‘but she’s not my mother.’

Roz went to speak again, but Joyce spoke before she had the chance. ‘Suzie’s right, I can’t expect to walk back into her life as though nothing has happened.’ Her eyes levelled with her daughter’s. ‘I’ll play this any way you want to.’

‘I won’t be sleeping in this cottage for a start,’ said Suzie. ‘I know Mrs Lewis said there was no room in the barn, but I don’t care, I’ll sleep on the floor if need be – not only that but I don’t want any of you teaching me what to do.’