‘Why did all this happen?’ she cried. ‘Why did this have to happen to us?’ She sobbed and yelled and raked her fingernails against Mimi’s chest.

And then, ‘Why did he do that to me, Mum? How could he? Why? Why?’

Mimi cried into her daughter’s hair and held her tight, saying over and over, ‘I don’t know, baby, I don’t know. It’s not fair, none of it is fair, none of it.’

She didn’t fight back as Callie clenched her fists and slammed them against her, all she could do was keep holding her. Keep telling her that it was okay, that she was going to be okay.

Eventually, Callie’s sobs began to subside and her body collapsed against her. Mimi supported her as they moved across to a couch and sat down together. Callie lay down with her legs curled into her chest and her head resting on Mimi’s lap.

‘Why didn’t you stop him, Mum?’ she whispered. ‘Why did you let him do that to me? He was going to rape me. If they didn’t come back when they did, I wouldn’t have got away.’

Mimi clenched her jaw and squeezed her fist. ‘I’m so sorry I failed you,’ she said. ‘But listen to me — I’m going to do everything in my power to protect you. I never want to let you down again.’

But Callie shook her head. ‘No, I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t your fault . . . I’m sorry, Mum, I shouldn’t blame you for this.’

Mimi knew she’d never believe that. And she would never forgive herself.

*

Jill

Jill snatched up the phone the moment it started ringing. She hadn’t been allowed in to see Andrea yet and she was desperate for any news. Darren had driven himself to the hospital to join her, but eventually he’d gone home to rest. Jill was refusing to leave until she had an update on Andrea. She was pacing the halls of the hospital, waiting for someone to tell her something, anything.

The reality that one of her sons was dead hadn’t sunk in yet and she was forcing herself not to think about Tony, but instead to focus on everyone else.

‘Mimi?’ she said when she answered. ‘Is everything all right?’

‘Yes. We’re all okay here. No serious injuries.’

‘Thank God. I was afraid you were calling because something had gone wrong.’

There was a pause, and when Mimi spoke again, her voice had changed. It was cooler. ‘Actually, Jill, there is something wrong.’

‘What is it?’

‘How did you know?’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘About what Tony had done. How did you know?’