Emma picks up the fan and starts flapping it in front of her face.

‘You’re very quiet this afternoon, sweetie,’ she says.

I glance across at her. This is actually the first time we’ve been able to sit out in the garden this year. The sun’s roasting, in the distance the thrum of a lawn mower reaches me. My mind keeps drifting to my conversation with Max a couple of days ago, particularly his revelation about the DNA.

‘Just thinking,’ I reply, picking up my glass of lemonade.

‘Have you and Callum spoken anymore about going away?’ she asks.

She’s looking at me with the biggest smile. God she really wants me to take this opportunity and go. If only she knew what I was really doing.

‘Um, yeah, we’ve been talking about it.’ I shift in my seat, I haven’t mentioned it to Callum since we first spoke about it on the way back from Leigh on Sea the other day, and he’s not asked me. I feel like this is beginning to drive a wedge between us, the last thing I want is to harm our friendship. He’s already done so much for me.

‘Well, remember, like my Mum used to always say, you’re a long time dead, seize the opportunity and go for it,’ Emma says.

I stare at the end of the garden.

‘I’m gonna call him now,’ I say, getting up.

‘Go for it, Danielle. I’m jealous, wish I was young and free like you guys are; I’ll have to talk to Michael about booking a Saga cruise while you’re away.’ She laughs and closes her eyes. Perhaps she’s thinking if Callum and I do go away it might put my mind off of Harvey. She would’ve said something to me if she’d found out about me visiting him.

I pull out my phone as I head back towards the house. Michael’s making himself a sandwich in the kitchen.

‘Did you want anything, while I’ve got the bread out?’ he asks as I breeze past.

I shake my head. ‘No don’t worry, just got a call I need to make.’

I dial Callum’s number as I race up the stairs. He answers as I sit on my bed.

‘Hiya,’ he says.

I sigh. ‘Look, Callum I really, really want to go back to the house; I totally understand you’ve got your own life and if you don’t want to come with me that’s fine. But I’m telling you, with or without your help, I’m going.’

There’s silence on the other end. He’s going to hate me for putting him on the spot like this.

‘Look, how many weeks are you thinking?’

I squeeze my duvet. ‘I dunno Callum, I guess, a minimum three to four weeks.

There’s another pause. ‘OK, I s’pose I could talk to work, I still haven’t booked off any holiday yet this year.’

He’s going to use his holiday to help me. I rub my eyes.

‘You have to really want to do this Callum; I don’t want to put any pressure on you.’

‘D’you think there’s any way I’m gonna let you go back to that place on your own? I know how important finding out what happened to your family is to you, but promise me this, after four weeks is up we’re leaving, no matter if you haven’t found anything out, that’s it.’

I swallow. ‘Of course.’

‘Let me speak to work and I’ll get back to you.’            

‘Callum, I –’ the phone goes dead before I finish my sentence.

I’m shaking. If work can’t give him the time off I’m going to have to go on my own, no matter what he says. I find Jeremiah’s details in my phone, I think about texting him, but call him instead.

‘Danielle, this is a pleasant surprise,’ he says, I can almost hear the smile in his voice.

‘Hi, um, I’ve had a chance to think about Oliver’s offer, and I’d love to take up a temporary room,’ I say.

‘That’s excellent news,’ Jeremiah says. ‘When do you think you’ll be able to come?’

‘Um, the earliest would be week after next, I’ve gotta get stuff sorted out here first.’

‘I totally understand, would it just be you, or your friend, Callum, wasn’t it, as well?’

‘Callum would like to come,’ I say. He might not. I ignore the voice in my head.

‘Well, a week should give us plenty of time to get everything organised. I’ll speak to Oliver and we’ll get sleeping arrangements sorted.’

‘Thank you,’ I say.

‘That’s no problem, Danielle; we really can’t wait to have you as part of the community here again.’      

I end the call, get up from my bed, and check outside my room to make sure Emma wasn’t listening in. I edge into their bedroom and stare out the window; she and Michael are sitting out in the garden eating their sandwiches. The sound of the lawnmower starts up again. Am I doing the right thing? But a banging voice in my head overrides my fears; you want to find out what happened. This is the only way.