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The news turned out to be reporting only the barest of facts about the meeting but the tone was mostly positive. After they’d watched it, Sonia gave a relieved sigh and nodded to herself.

“Well, he hasn’t sold us down the river yet, at least,” she said. “I’ll check again later. Let’s go and see how Kayleigh and Robert are doing while you father is cooking dinner.”

Kayleigh looked around and managed a weak smile when they came in. Lydia was pleased to see that the colour was already returning to Kayleigh’s cheeks and she was sitting up in bed. She also looked cleaner and her hair was slightly damp. Robert wasn’t there but the noises coming from the bathroom indicated both where he was and that he was none too impressed to need help to get clean.

“You’re Sonia Keefe, aren’t you?” Kayleigh asked. “I’m honoured to meet you, ma’am.”

“No need to ma’am me, Kayleigh,” Sonia said. “I guess Adrian, Hannah and your father have caught you up with what’s been happening?”

“They have,” she said. “Though I’d gleaned quite a bit from my connection to that bitch who was impersonating me.” She gave a shudder. “Thank goodness Alaryia was kind enough to rip that out for me. I’m glad it’s gone. It made my skin crawl being able to feel her – I didn’t feel like I was really free until it was gone.”

“That’s not surprising, dear.” Sonia patted her hand. “How are you bearing up otherwise?”

“”I’m okay, I think,” she said. “Except I’m terrified I’ll wake up and find this is all a dream again. I’ve dreamt of being rescued so many times in the last few weeks that I still can’t believe this is real.”

“That’s normal, dear,” Sonia said. “We’ll make sure you get all the help you need to recover properly.”

“Thank you.” Kayleigh gave another weak smile. “Is your brother going to check our minds? Just in case there’s some sort of trap?”

“Yes, dear,” Sonia said. “Once you’re stronger.”

“He should do it now,” Kayleigh said. “I won’t feel happy until I know I’m not dangerous.”

Sonia gave her a long, thoughtful look and then nodded. “Okay, I can understand that. I’ll get him to look in on the two of you later this evening.”

“Thank you,” Kayleigh said. “Before he went for his bath Robert was asking about his uncle. Is he going to come and see him?”

Sonia gave a heavy sigh. “Not yet. I think we’re going to have to force the issue because he is still refusing to believe the truth.”

Kayleigh made an angry hissing noise. “I was afraid of that. Garrett has always been stubborn. He won’t want to admit he was wrong, especially not about someone he’d allied himself with.” She shook her head. “Poor Robert. I know he’s a twerp sometimes but he’s helped keep me sane these last few weeks. He deserves better than that jerk of an uncle.”

“No argument here,” Sonia agreed. “We’ll–” She broke off as the bathroom door opened.

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