And now the little girl was flying through the air. Just like the tablets had been.

Her own hands, reaching out. Wanting to catch hold of her. Wanting to save her. Wanting to keep her safe.

Knowing that she had failed.

Violet. Violet flew out of the car.

You need to wake up, Andrea.

CHRISTMAS EVE

It’s quite extraordinary how far a twenty-kilo child can fly through the air when thrown from a car. And if they land in the bushes and are unconscious, and it’s dark and there is chaos all around . . . it’s very difficult for anyone to spot them.

Especially if no one knows they’re even missing to begin with.

That was the predicament that Violet was in as Darren performed CPR on Andrea.

As Jill tried to guide him through it.

As Tony’s car was catching fire.

So, while six-year-old Violet’s body was convulsing as it reacted to the drugs she had popped into her mouth, believing the only harm she had done was to sneak a few of her mother’s sweets, no one was even glancing in her direction.

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

Same day — Christmas Eve

Mimi

She didn’t see the flames take hold. After getting herself out of the car, she’d headed straight for her family. A stranger who’d apparently been the first to stop was putting pressure on Pete’s wounded arm, which was bleeding through the thin muslin material that had been wrapped around it. Callie and Tara were huddled over one twin each, comforting them.

‘We didn’t know if we should pick them up or not,’ Callie said as Mimi approached, ‘or if they’re safer staying in their capsules.’

The sirens were getting louder and another two cars were pulling over to help when someone shouted, ‘That car is on fire — is there anyone in it?’

Mimi felt her shoulders stiffen. She couldn’t bring herself to turn and look. But she saw Callie’s head whip around and then Callie grabbed Mimi’s arm and pulled her away from the rest of the family. ‘Mum, that’s Tony’s car.’

Mimi closed her eyes. Oh God, what had she done?

‘Mum,’ Callie pressed, ‘did Uncle Tony get out?’ There was a waver to her voice.

‘Umm, I-I’m not sure,’ Mimi said, still refusing to turn around and face the scene. But the glow of the flames was entering her peripheral vision. Was she going to be able to live with the decision she’d made?

Callie stepped in even closer, forcing Mimi to look at her. They locked eyes. Right then, Mimi knew that Callie knew she’d abandoned Tony in his car. Callie held still for a moment, then she squeezed Mimi’s hand and stepped back again.