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Sarah knew how much strain Mia was under. She wanted Riley to go easy on her mother. ‘She doesn’t mean to be on your back, but she needs you to help her out, Riley. Please try. Mia has a lot on her plate with your dad out of work, and when we mums are worried, we can all be a bit short-tempered. I really think that if you try to react less, and not push back against her all the time, things would be easier. Will you try? Please?’

Riley finished the brownie. ‘OK, but when you’re talking to her, will you please ask her to lay off me?I’m stressed about Dad, too, and I’ve just had my heart smashed into pieces.’

Sarah smiled inwardly. Riley was so like Mia. Her sister had been the exact same at that age: she’d felt things so acutely.Her emotions and reactions were always strong, no matter what the situation. Riley was her doppelgänger. But her poor niece needed reassurance. ‘Of course I’ll talk to Mia, love. And don’t let any boy ever crush your spirit. You’re really wonderful, Riley.’

Riley got up from her stool and hugged her aunt. ‘Thanks. You’re the best. I’d better go. I snuck out of school early to come and see you. Don’t worry,’ she said quickly, as Sarah opened her mouth to say something. ‘I only missed hockey, which I hate. But don’t tell Mum – it’ll just give her something else to freak out about.’

As Sarah waved her off she prayed that Izzy’s teenage years would be less dramatic.

Mia sat at the table in her sister’s lovely, sunny kitchen. Sarah always had fresh flowers in a vase on the table while the counters were always clean and uncluttered. Mia’s kitchen was full of newspapers, bills and Riley’s books. Jackets were slung over chairs, shoes were kicked off in the corner … It was always messy. Sarah’s house was spotless. It was such a relaxing space to be in.

Sarah came over and handed Mia a glass of wine. She sat opposite her, a cup of herbal tea in her hand.

‘It feels a bit strange drinking alone,’ Mia said. ‘I feel like someone with a problem.’

Sarah laughed. ‘It’s Friday, you’ve had a long week, and you deserve it. Believe me, if I wasn’t pregnant, I’d be joining you.’

Mia raised her glass. ‘Well, cheers.’ She savoured the wine as it slipped down her throat and felt herself begin to unwind.

‘So, how’s Riley?’

Mia put her glass down. ‘Riley is being Riley but worse. She’s her usual teenage self, plus heartbreak plus public humiliationplus rage at being grounded. I’m kind of avoiding her, to be honest. Johnny’s tried talking to her, but she’s like a bear.’

‘Ah, the poor thing. She’s had a rotten time. Can you imagine the hurt and embarrassment she must be feeling? There’s nothing worse than seeing your ex with someone else.’

‘I feel really sorry for her, but she won’t talk to me about it so I can’t help. I’ve tried broaching the subject from all angles, but she just freaks out and runs to her room. At least she’s got Shocko.’

Sarah smiled. ‘He seems like a nice kid. I always think he’s a bit in love with Riley.’

‘Yeah, maybe, but they’re just pals. He’s such a good friend. She talks to him, so at least she has an outlet for her angst. She’s also been playing that song “I Hate U, I Love U” on repeat for a week. I’m going nuts.’

Sarah laughed. ‘God, do you remember the days of playing soppy break-up songs to get over guys? Mine was Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River”.’

Mia giggled. ‘You must have played that a million times. Remember Mum coming in and begging you to find “a different bloody break-up song”?’

The two sisters laughed at the memory.

‘I suppose it’s a rite of passage. Hopefully she’ll start playing some slightly more cheerful music soon,’ Mia said, taking another sip of the delicious wine.

‘She will. But go easy on her. She’s crushed.’

Mia bristled. She didn’t need to be told what to do about Riley. Her daughter had to grasp the consequences of her actions. Otherwise, she’d just do it again. Sarah didn’t understand because she didn’t have a teenager. ‘I can hardly ignore the drinking and ending up in hospital.’

Sarah held up her hands. ‘No, of course not. But don’t ground her for too long. It’ll just make her more unhappy.Remember when Mum grounded you for a month because you came home drunk? You went mad.’

Yes, Mia did remember, but she’d been seventeen and tipsy, not out-of-her-mind drunk, like Riley. And what if it happened again and Riley was taken advantage of by some boy? Anything can happen when you’re that drunk. Mia was scared for her daughter.

She didn’t want to talk about Riley any more. She had thought of nothing else all week and had barely slept. ‘I’ll think about reducing her grounding. Have you seen Dad?’

‘Yes, we went for a walk and had a chat about Olivia yesterday.’

‘And?’

Sarah shrugged. ‘He’s happy. He really likes her and the companionship. He said Olivia makes his life better, happier and fuller. He said he hates being on his own. He wants to marry her and live with her.’

Mia sipped her wine. ‘I didn’t realize how lonely he was. But she’s so irritating. I wish he could have found someone less over-the-top. She’s always pawing him and talking over him and she’s just so … so …’

‘Annoying?’