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Some things that happened in March 2005:

• Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown delivered his ninth Budget.
• Approximately 1,300 people were killed by an earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale off the west coast of Northern Sumatra.
• Sixty-six people went on trial for child sex abuse and prostitution in Angers, France.
• Martha Stewart was released from prison.
• The UK became the first country to officially recognise darts as a sport.
• Changes to the capital punishment system in the United States made sentencing someone to death for a crime committed before they were 18 unconstitutional.
• Paris Hilton appeared on the cover of Playboy.
• London police claimed to have foiled a £220 million attempted bank robbery.
• NBC’s version of the British comedy The Office premiered in the United States.

And I told my parents the worst possible thing I could imagine, thus beginning my third life.

My dad sat beside me on the sofa in his office reading my letter; my mum stood in her kitchen and tore it up unopened, requesting with tears in her eyes that I say whatever it was to her face.

My dad said he’d hoped I wouldn’t have to deal with people like that until I was much older; my mum said she wished I’d told her sooner.

My dad said he’d been suspicious of Matthew, but chalked it up to his own warped mind; my mum said she’d had no idea.

My dad said he felt sorry for not preventing it; my mum said she felt betrayed by both Matthew and Annabelle.

My dad said he wanted to go over to Matthew’s house right away; my mum said she didn’t know how it would affect her friendships, but she was glad she knew.

My dad said he was really angry – but not with me; my mum said the affair was one thing, but it was much worse that Matthew wouldn’t leave me alone.

My dad said he’d been to counselling a few times and hadn’t found it much use; my mum said at least I’d find it easier to come home now.

My dad said he didn’t mind that I liked girls, because he’d had a threesome once; my mum said she’d once had a fling with a married man and it had made her feel horrid.

My dad said I could always come to him; my mum said I was her little girl.

My dad said he’d protect me; my mum said she loved me.