I weighed that up, and no, it didn’t. Not really. People could think what they liked about Julian, and it could be as bollocks as they liked, because their words wouldn’t touch either him or me. Not anymore. But still. She was Mum’s best friend, for her faults, and her small-minded ways, and her trumpet mouth, and I held true to my own beliefs – leopards can change their spots, and people can learn from their mistakes.

“Yeah,” I told her. “It does matter what you think. And I’d like that. I’d like you to read chapter one.”

She smiled, looking almost relieved.

“Then I’ll give it a read. Your...