My little sister and I were molested for two years by a boy in our village, the son of one of my mother’s only friends. We used to visit their house frequently while they caught up over coffee. My parents thought we were making it up, until they caught him actually doing it to my sister. Mum is still in communication with said friend, but we never talk about it. I was 8 when it started and my sister was 4.

I’ve been self-harming for 4 years and I tried to kill myself twice. I know Mum and Dad feel guilty about it, and I wish we could have just one honest conversation about what went on. Mum was just recovering from severe depression when she met this woman, and I think in a way she sort of resented any threat to that. She was beginning to go out and enjoy life again.