When she called round unannounced to drop off a few laundered items of Maisie’s school uniform that had been left at her house, it was a shock to find Emma in a bit of a state.

Emma tried to put a brave face on it, but Val was her mother, for goodness’ sake. She immediately spotted her daughter’s red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks, despite Emma’s hasty attempts to wipe away the evidence.

‘Whatever’s wrong?’ Val laid her granddaughter’s folded skirt and blouse on the stairs and embraced Emma. ‘Is everything all right?’

She scanned the kitchen over Emma’s shoulder and saw there was no sign of Maisie.

‘I’m fine, Mum.’ Emma sniffed. ‘Come through and have a drink with me.’

Emma stood at the counter while Val filled the kettle. She let the water run for a couple of seconds, noticing a half-finished glass of wine on the kitchen top.

‘Shaun has taken Maisie to the cinema.’

‘So you’ve got some time to yourself. That’s nice,’ Val said cautiously, glancing around the kitchen, which seemed to be in more disarray than usual.

Now that her life was busier, Val mostly picked Maisie up and looked after her at her own small bungalow in Ruddington.

She had a very slow Internet connection there that made online browsing unreliable. That was useful in that Val sometimes managed to get Maisie out in the garden in the warmer months, walking around the local park or even popping to the local tea rooms for a slice of cake. In the cooler weather, they’d complete jigsaws together, bake or watch a nature programme on television.

Anything was better than Maisie sitting constantly glued to her computer, coveting the lives of strangers, like she did at home.

Consequently, Val hadn’t seen as much of Emma’s house recently. It seemed to have deteriorated quite rapidly.

Emma followed Val’s line of vision.

‘I know it’s a bit of a mess in here, Mum. I’m going to get it sorted this weekend.’

Val avoided pointing out that it was already Sunday afternoon and there wasn’t much of the weekend left.

‘If you’re struggling, then you’ve only got to say,’ she said gently. ‘I can bring my rubber gloves and we’ll get it done together in no time.’

‘I know. Thanks.’ Emma sniffed. ‘I’ve just got a lot on at the moment, that’s all.’

She glanced down at her phone and Val spotted the photograph.

‘Oh, that’s… Maisie.’ Her voice faltered. ‘And Shaun.’

‘And his perfect new girlfriend and her daughter,’ Emma added somewhat sourly. ‘Shaun’s new family.’

‘I wouldn’t look at it like that.’ Val spooned coffee into two mugs and poured hot water in. ‘Maisie has you and she has her dad. It’s too soon for any new families to be formed, love.’

Emma looked at the photograph wistfully. ‘They look happy, though, don’t they?’

‘I’m not sure Maisie looks that impressed.’ Val wrinkled her nose. ‘Did she enjoy herself yesterday?’

They took their drinks over to the comfy seats.

‘I don’t think so, not really. But she wouldn’t say much about it. Neither would Shaun.’

‘I see.’ Val sipped her coffee thoughtfully. ‘I could try asking her about it, just a gentle nudge.’

‘I don’t want her to be upset, Mum. She’ll speak when she’s ready.’

Val looked at Emma and tipped her head to one side. Her daughter’s skin looked dry and grey. Her eyes were constantly darting around the room. Anywhere but settling on Val’s face.

‘Are you sleeping, Emmeline?’

‘On and off.’ She shrugged.

Val’s eyes fluttered around Emma’s face and hands.

‘You’re not… going down that road again, are you?’ Her tone was fearful. ‘It’s just you look—’

‘No! Of course I’m not.’

‘Promise me that if things get that bad again you’ll tell me.’

‘I will.’ Emma stood up and walked over to the breakfast bar. ‘I’m sorry, Mum. I have to get this work done.’

Val pulled away from the kerb and drove down the road.

A few years ago, Emma had become hooked on prescription sleeping pills and was secretly popping them during the day when Shaun was at work. Val had spotted the awful condition of her skin, and that was when Emma had confessed to the problem.

Val knew Emmeline wouldn’t thank her, but if things didn’t improve, she’d have to ring Shaun. It was important he was aware of any warning signs.

Lord knew, he was probably very distracted at the present time.

Val had been shocked at how attractive his new woman, Joanne, was. She wasn’t really sure what she’d expected her to look like, but she seemed confident and very sorted. Emma, on the other hand, seemed like she was in danger of beginning to fade away, just like last time.

Both Val and Shaun knew how quickly it could happen, and how utterly devastating it would be for everyone involved if Emma lapsed.

For Maisie’s sake, it had to be avoided at any cost.