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‘Ha. Right, we’re just about here.’

Tom parked up in front of a small semi-detached bungalow on one of the ex-council estates on the very outer edge of Scarnbrook. There were inflatable light-up Santas, snowmen, reindeer and – randomly – Easter bunnies dotted around the small but perfectly maintained front garden.

‘Your mum’s definitely into Christmas, then?’

‘Oh yes. Most of the decorations go up on the first of December every year, whatever day of the week it happens to be. It’s been the same ever since I can remember.’

‘And… the rabbits?’

‘They were reduced in B&Q and she couldn’t bear to leave them behind.’

‘Fair.’

‘Umm, Mally, before you come in, you should know that my mum, well, she’s been struggling with multiple sclerosis for quite some time now. She’s doing really well, considering, but the last couple of years have been especially hard for her – well, for both of us.’

I had an urge to wrap my arms around him tightly.

‘Yeah, I bet. I can just wait here while you sort out her shopping,’ I said. ‘I imagine it might be a bit strange for a random woman to show up with her groceries on a Sunday evening.’

‘No no no no, she’ll be thrilled to see you, Mally. You might not remember this but back in the day she used to work at the local playschool that we went to before school.’

‘Wait. What?’

‘Yeah, remember Mrs B?’

‘Of course!’

‘Yeah, she’s my mum. B for Brinton. Although she uses her maiden name these days.’

How did I not know this?

‘I remember being in the same playgroup class as you, Ryan and the twins, but I had no idea Mrs B was your mum!’

‘Yeah, she’ll remember you for sure,’ Tom said. ‘Putting aside everything else, she remembers all the kids from back then.’

Putting aside everything else. I had an icy jolt of fear as we climbed out of the car. Would his mum want to talk to me about my sister and everything that happened back then? Oh well, it was too late to do a runner now. I followed Tom as he let himself in through the front door.

‘Mum, it’s me! And I’ve got a surprise visitor for you!’

He led me through to the living room, where his mum was sitting in what looked to be a relatively high-end adjustable armchair next to a small Christmas tree – undecorated with the exception of some multicoloured fairy lights that were switched off. She was leaning over a jigsaw puzzle, a pair of glasses on the tip of her nose. I absolutely recognised her from back then; she must’ve worked at the playschool for quite some time as she’d still been on the roster when Livvie had started going there. Her face lit up when she saw us, and I immediately felt safe.

‘Amelia Allister, well I never!’

‘See, I told you! Mum, Mally had some car trouble over at the Big Tesco so I said I’d run her back to where she’s staying for the week. Then we had a slight turkey incident so we decided to swing by here on our way. Speaking of which, I’d better get the stuff in from the car.’

Tom headed outside while his mum kept chatting to me. She gestured for me to sit down on the sofa next to an old-looking suitcase.

‘Oh, I’m so happy to see one of my little playgroup kiddies all grown up. You look marvellous. And it’s Mally now, did I hear?’

‘That’s right, Mrs B. It’s so nice to see you.’

‘I don’t think anyone’s called me Mrs B for about thirty years, sweetheart. Please call me Jo.’

‘Ha ha, thanks. I really don’t want to put you out so I won’t stay long. I’ve been benefiting from a lot of Brinton kindness today.’

‘That’s my boy. Could you be a sweetheart and pass me my walking frame?’

‘Oh, of course, but please don’t get up on my account…’