"She said there would be repercussions," Alex agreed. "So I'd be ... making myself feel better, and making things a hundred times worse for her. I can't believe doing nothing is the less selfish option."

She rubbed the back of her neck, idly, trying to work out the tense knot that was starting.

"So what can we do?" she asked. "She mentioned packages. And support, for ... the kids here."