‘It’s okay,’ said Andrea. ‘We can take the next exit and go back.’ She would get her home before Heather even knew about the note she’d left. And instead, she’d deal with Heather the right way — through the authorities. Not through kidnapping her daughter.

Violet nodded. Then she spoke and Andrea had to concentrate hard to hear her.

‘What’s that, sweetheart?’

‘I said I told you a lie.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Mummy didn’t say she would leave me alone all night.’

Oh no. ‘She didn’t? What did she say?’

‘She said she was only going to have a nap for a little bit.’

‘Wait . . . are you telling me your mum was still at home when I took you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Violet! Why did you tell me she was out?’

Violet’s voice sounded teary. ‘Because she was mean to me. And you’re always nice and I wanted to be with you instead.’

That’s when Andrea’s phone started ringing.

*

Mimi

‘I can’t drive,’ she said. Then she clenched her jaw as she waited for Pete to ask her why.

‘No worries. If you’re not up for it, it’s not the end of the world.’

Oh. That was unexpected. But instead of relief she was feeling something else . . . disappointment? That was odd. She hesitated. ‘Don’t you want to know why?’

‘I figured you’re tired too.’

‘But you got up to the girls last night. I didn’t. Why should I be tired? Why should I have any right to be tired?’

He glanced sideways at her. ‘I don’t know, maybe you didn’t sleep as well as I assumed.’ He paused. ‘Is everything okay?’

‘No! It’s not okay. I’m not okay. I’m awful. I’m a horrible, awful person who sleeps through her babies crying in the night and then can’t take over the driving for her amazing husband who’s tired because I’m a fucking drunk.’

Pete let out a bark of laughter. ‘Mimi, what are you on about? You’re not a drunk!’

‘But I am! Don’t you get it? That’s why I can’t drive right now, because I threw back half a bottle of gin before we left. That’s why I didn’t wake last night, because I had five shots before bed. Haven’t you noticed? Haven’t you smelled it on me? Haven’t you wondered why I’ve been constantly pouring myself drinks from that lemonade bottle? Aren’t you worried? Aren’t you wondering what the fuck is wrong with me?’

‘Wait, what? You drank half a bottle of gin today?’