‘You’re not,’ said Jill. ‘I’m glad you feel like you can talk to me. I know you don’t have a very . . . close relationship with your mother.’

Andrea laughed. ‘That’s putting it mildly.’

They reached Jill’s car, parked in one of the outdoor visitor spots, and stood next to it.

‘I wish I could give you an answer about Tony,’ said Jill, ‘but I don’t know what’s behind his decision not to have children. All I can say is, talk to him. If you’re no longer sure about what you want, then it’s important to talk it through. You don’t want to be left with regrets. Trust me.’

‘I know,’ said Andrea. ‘I’m just not sure how I’m going to even bring it up. I think it’s going to really blindside him.’

Andrea looked across the carpark and saw someone familiar. ‘Actually, Jill, do you mind if we return to this another time? I’ve just seen someone I want to catch.’

Jill nodded. ‘Of course.’

They said their goodbyes and Andrea saw Jill into the car before turning and hurrying after the man she’d seen. It was Violet’s driver and he was alone. She wanted to ask at least one more person about Violet’s wellbeing before she really backed off, as per her promise to Tony.

‘Excuse me,’ Andrea called out as she got closer.

He turned around and smiled warmly at her. ‘Help you?’ he asked.

‘Umm, I hope so. This might sound a little weird, but I know you work for Heather and I was wondering . . .’

The guy’s expression changed and he laughed. ‘Work for Heather?’ he said. ‘No, not exactly.’

‘Oh. Sorry. I thought . . . I thought you were her driver.’

‘Is that what she calls me?’ His eyes went skyward. ‘For the record,’ he said, ‘I’m a firefighter, not a chauffeur. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a chauffeur. I don’t mean to sound elitist or something.’

Andrea was thoroughly confused. He wasn’t Heather’s chauffeur yet he drove Violet to and from school every day. Why would he do that? Then her eyes widened. ‘Are you Violet’s father?’ she asked.

‘Ah, I’m not . . . no . . . but it’s complicated,’ he said. ‘Sorry,’ he added, ‘do you mind telling me why you’re . . .’

Andrea realised she was questioning the man with no explanation at all.

‘No, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have just started quizzing you. I’m Heather’s neighbour. I’ve sort of got to know Violet and I was hoping to ask if you . . .’ Andrea broke off, embarrassed. This was harder now that there was this weird ambiguity around his relationship with Heather and Violet. But he was standing there waiting, so she was going to have to spit it out.

‘If you ever had any . . . concerns about Violet,’ she finished.