‘I’ll take your word for it,’ he said hastily. ‘Let’s go home.’

It was pleasant walking home under the stars, and Gino was reluctant to spoil their peace, but he had no choice.

‘There’s something you need to know,’ he said heavily. ‘Nikki told me tonight that her father is dead.’

Laura stopped and faced him, horrified.

‘She said what?’

‘She was showing me some family pictures, and when he disappeared from them she said, “My daddy’s dead”.’

‘Oh, no,’ she breathed. ‘He didn’t die. He walked out.’

‘Do you ever hear from him?’

‘Not since the divorce. He doesn’t stay in touch.’

‘Christmas? Birthdays?’

‘Not a word, not a card. I suppose it’s easier for her to think of him as dead than neglectful.’

‘Any chance she actually believes it?’

‘No, if he was dead, I’d have told her. She must know that.’

‘So it’s her way of comforting herself.’ Gino sighed. ‘I’m not supposed to have told you this. She said you didn’t know that she knew, and she didn’t want to worry you.’

‘Oh, God, she’s so sweet and generous.’

‘Yes, she is, but I’ve betrayed her confidence. I had to. I couldn’t have kept a thing like that to myself-’

‘Of course you did the right thing. But I’ve been so stupid. Why didn’t I see it coming? How could I have left her exposed to this?’

‘Hey, hey, don’t blame yourself,’ he said urgently. ‘You didn’t expose her to this. He did.’

‘But I should have thought. Oh, heavens!’

Her voice was husky with tears and she buried her face in her hands. Gino put his arms about her, holding her tightly while she wept.

‘It isn’t your fault,’ he said again. ‘You’re her mother, but you can only do so much. There are things you can’t make right for her, however hard you try. You can see them coming, but you can’t get out of the way.’

‘But I could help her through them. I’ve got to get home quickly, and talk to her.’