‘Of course. Come through to my office. Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘No, thanks.’
I followed Mel into her small office, which overlooked the playground. She slumped into an old office chair and reached into a drawer, pulling out a pack of biscuits, which she threw onto the table. ‘Help yourself. Is this a social call, or is it about Bertie?’
‘It’s not a social call, I’m afraid.’
‘Oh dear, sounds serious. He’s not being bullied, is he? I pride myself on stamping out bullying before it can get started. I hope I’m not losing my touch.’
‘No, it’s nothing like that. Mel, I’m afraid we’re leaving.’
‘What do you mean, leaving?’
‘We have to leave Lowen Farm. I need to take Bertie out of school.’
‘For how long?’
‘For good.’
‘What? Why? I thought things were going well for you here?’
‘They were, they are.’ I sniffed as tears filled my eyes. Mel jumped out from behind her desk and crouched beside me, offering tissues.
‘What’s happened, Liv?’
I sniffed and wiped my eyes. ‘If I tell you what’s happened, you have to promise not to say anything to anyone at Lowen Farm.’
‘I can’t promise anything if this is some sort of child protection issue.’
I shook my head. ‘No, it’s nothing like that.’
‘OK. Go ahead.’
I spilled out my sorry story to Mel, and by the time I’d finished, I’d created a Mount Everest-sized pile of damp tissues on her desk.
‘There must be a way round this.’
‘Mel, there’s not. Honestly, I’ve tried everything I can think of. I’ve even consulted a solicitor. They said I had a very strong case, but the legal costs of fighting my in-laws would be crippling.’
‘Why don’t you want anyone at the farm to know? I don’t understand?’
‘Because they’d want to help me.’
‘Isn’t that a good thing?’
‘Not if it would drag them down with me. The vision Harry and S… the vision Harry has for the place is amazing. I can’t let my personal problems get in the way of that.’
‘Then what are you going to tell them? That you’ve had a sudden, out of the blue change of heart? They’re not going to buy that, Liv.’
‘Maybe not, but it’s the only option I have.’
Mel sighed and went back to her chair, spinning back and forth, deep in thought. ‘If only there was a way we could help you…’
‘I promise you, Mel, no one can help me. The only option I have is to go back to my old life and stick it out long enough until Bertie’s old enough to decide what he wants for himself.’
‘Does he know you’re leaving?’
‘Not yet. I’m going to tell him this evening.’
