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Damien stared at her in disbelief. ‘Now hang on a second,’ he said. ‘Lucy, I know I don’t have children, but if you push them too hard they may react badly. Too much pressure is not good for teenagers. I had a case recently –’

‘This is mylife,’ Lucy said. ‘I have a responsibility to those kids to keep them safe from harm. I’m sorry but you don’t get it. You can’t. I’m all they have. I’m their mum and dad and I have to be better.’

‘Jesus, Lucy, I’m trying to help here. I know I’m not a father, but I think I can still be a good sounding-board for you. And you need that balanced perspective, Lucy, you really do.’

She glared at him.‘Oh, really, and what’s that supposed to mean?’

He took a deep breath. ‘I don’t want to lose you or fall out with you, Lucy, but I feel that, as a friend, I should be honest with you.’

Lucy folded her arms tight across her chest. ‘Go on.’

‘You need to stop obsessing about Gabriel and Tom. It’s like you never moved on. It’s what drives you, but you don’t seem to see that it’s also your Achillesheel. Since the twins went to St Jude’s you’ve become even more fixated with proving them wrong and making sure your kids succeed. I’m genuinely worried about you, Lucy. If you keep pushing your children, you could break them. If you’re always looking to prove something, you’re going to miss what’s going on right under your nose. It’s completely unhealthy and I know you hate hearing this, butreally, truly, I’m saying that out of love for you.’

The waiter interrupted by bringing Lucy’s coat to the table. She stood up and allowed him to help her into it. Then she picked up her bag and turned to Damien.

‘You just don’t get it. I’m not obsessed with those two bastards. I just want the best for my kids and I’m going to make sure they get it. Dylan and Kelly are my world, and they willbe everything I couldn’t be. It might look pushy from where you’re standing, but that’s what real love is, Damien. It doesn’t take a day off, it doesn’t stop, it doesn’t give in. I won’t let the twins blow great opportunities. I know first-hand how that feels and how it ruins everything else. I have fought for them their entire lives, and I will not stop now. So while I’m sorry to end things likethis, I have to put my family first, which means I can’t see you any more.’

‘Lucy …’ Damien called, as she turned and walked out of the restaurant. The catch in his voice hurt her heart, but she kept walking. She had absolutely no choice.