Lorna

The international dialling tone rings like a distress signal.

‘Boooooop. Boooop. Heeeeelp. Heeeeeelp.’

Come on Dee. Pick up. Pick up …

I know she will. She always picks up for me.

There’s a click as the line connects. ‘Lorna?’

Hearing Dee’s voice floods me with relief. My warm, loving big sister. The only constant, my whole life. The one I can always rely on.

‘What’s up?’ Dee asks. ‘I’m on my way to work.’

I start crying like an idiot. ‘Liberty,’ I jabber. ‘She’s found out who her father is. She’s gone, Dee.’

A pause.

‘Okay. I’ll be on the next flight out.’