Mimi had also been able to ask Callie more about her surprise performance. ‘What made you do it?’ she’d said. ‘Right when you were dealing with so much pain?’

‘I did it because of the pain. I wanted to prove I could be brave, Mum.’

Her words had twisted Mimi’s heart.

‘You are brave, Callie. You chose to get in that car so that you could protect your little sister. Don’t you understand? You’re the bravest person I know. You’re extraordinary and I am prouder of you than you could ever imagine.’

Leesa touched Mimi’s hand now. ‘Come on,’ she said, ‘you can talk to me.’

Mimi and Pete had already discussed the issue of who they’d tell about Tony. For the most part, it was up to Callie. But Mimi also needed a friend in all of this.

She took a deep breath and told Leesa everything.

When she was done, Leesa drew her into a fierce hug. ‘Well, that bloody makes sense now,’ she said. ‘I wouldn’t have gone today either.’

‘So, you think I’m doing the right thing?’ Mimi asked as they pulled apart.

‘Absolutely.’ Leesa picked up her iced coffee and stirred in the cream with her straw. ‘And you’re doing the right thing by Callie as well.’

The tears started then. ‘But I didn’t protect her,’ said Mimi. ‘I failed her. When she needed me most.’

‘Oh honey,’ said Leesa. ‘This isn’t your fault. There was no way you could have known, no way you could have prevented this.’ She glanced across at Mimi’s drink. ‘Look, I know you’re doing a sober thing at the moment, but if I were you, I’d need more than caffeine and whipped cream right now. How long are you going to stick with it?’

‘Ha. Very supportive,’ said Mimi. ‘I’m not sure. I’ll aim for an alcohol-free January and go from there. I just don’t want to get back to where I was before. Hiding spirits in the fridge and drinking to escape.’

‘And what was it you were trying to escape from?’

‘The twins.’

‘Wow. You had that answer ready to go.’

‘Yeah, well, I didn’t know it at the time,’ said Mimi, leaning back on the grass on her elbows. ‘But I think I was resenting Pete for pushing me into expanding our family when I didn’t know if I wanted to. No, that’s not fair. I never pushed back properly. So maybe what I resent is that I didn’t speak up when I should have.’

‘And how do you feel about it all now?’