He’d also suggested they go out somewhere special for dinner tonight, so it was clear he was on a bit of a high. Andrea had agreed, but she was hoping to have enough time to duck in and check on Violet this afternoon before they went out. Even though she’d promised Tony she would pull back, having Shaun suggest that Violet needed people to look out for her had bolstered her. Shaun hadn’t contacted her yet, but she was hoping to hear from him soon. He’d seemed so caring and genuine when he’d told her he was glad she was looking out for Violet, it had made her feel validated. And she was curious to find out the full story of his connection to Heather and Violet.

*

Mimi

‘Hey Mum, can I ask you something?’

Mimi put the book she’d been reading face down on the coffee table and turned to look at Callie. She tried hard to keep her voice steady as she replied. If Callie was finally ready to talk, she didn’t want to jeopardise it by sounding too eager. ‘Of course, you can ask me anything.’

‘Could you please take me out for a driving lesson? I want to make sure I can take the test for my green Ps as soon as I turn seventeen, like the second it happens.’

Oh. It was nothing to do with having a chat after all.

‘I thought you only liked it when Dad took you out,’ Mimi said cautiously.

‘Whatever, if you don’t want to take me, you don’t have to.’

God, that girl could turn in an instant lately. Mimi scrambled to reassure her. ‘What? No! That’s not what I was saying. I was surprised, that’s all. Come on, grab your stuff. Let’s do it.’

‘Okay . . . Thanks, Mum.’ Callie’s voice was still flat despite Mimi having agreed to take her out. Maybe they would have a chance to chat in the car.

Callie headed off to put on her shoes and it was only as Mimi stood up that she noticed the half-empty glass of wine on the coffee table next to the book she’d put down. Dammit. She’d completely forgotten that she’d just been enjoying a few vinos while she was reading. Even though she wasn’t the one driving, she was still supposed to be under 0.05 as the instructor. How many had she had? Too many to take Callie out?

Callie reappeared with her shoes on, keys jangling in her hand. ‘Ready to go?’ she asked.

Mimi hesitated, searching for an excuse. But if she told her the truth, that she’d forgotten she’d had a few drinks and couldn’t do it after all, Callie would be so disappointed. And lately she could lose her temper at the smallest of things. Mimi didn’t want to set her off.