Catherine felt Maria's rough hand grab hers. She turned to look at her stepmother and saw the fear and worry etched in her face. She squeezed Maria's hand and then gently pulled away.

"Don't worry," she said quietly. "It's fine."

She turned back to face the Stewarts and saw Melanie gazing at her in shock and confusion. "Is that what this is about?" she asked. "What on Earth did that bitter old woman say to you to get inside your head like this?"

"That bitter old woman is my mother," ...