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Tom reached across and hugged her. ‘I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done.’

Sarah exhaled deeply. ‘It’s the right thing to do and I have to cling to that. Okay,’ she said, ‘let’s do it, or I’ll lose my nerve.’

Theywalked down the road together, then Tom waited just out of sight of the house.

‘Wish me luck,’ Sarah said, and walked up the garden path.

‘Does she want anything to eat?’ Billy asked. ‘I can make anything. Anything she likes.’

‘I’m going to run into the shop and get some of those vitamin drinks she likes,’ Jenny said, fussing around.

Billy was opening and closing cupboards, making a racket.‘I think we should go to the supermarket, Jenny, do a proper stock-up, so no matter what she wants, we’ll have it.’

‘Good idea,’ Jenny said.

‘Would you two please sit down and stop running about?’ Lucy said. ‘We’re only in the door. She doesn’t need anything right now. You’re like headless chickens.’

‘I just … Jesus, I don’t know what to do with myself,’ Jenny said. ‘I want to help, but I’venothing to do.’

‘She’s upstairs with Shannon. Let’s have a coffee while they have ten minutes together, then see if we can do anything for her.’

Billy and Jenny looked at each other, then reluctantly sat down.

‘Are you doing okay?’ Jenny asked her sister.

‘I’m tired, still in shock, but yeah,’ Lucy said. ‘I was worried about that wedding I was meant to do, but the Humanist Association helpedme out and found a replacement celebrant. The couple were very understanding.’

‘That’s good,’ Jenny said, rubbing her sister’s arm. ‘Just put everything else out of your head now. We can even ignore Christmas. You don’t need any more stress.’

Shortly after Sarah walked into the kitchen. ‘Hi, guys,’ she said. She gave Jenny a meaningful look. Jenny’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide. Shegave a little shake of her head, and Sarah knew she was saying, ‘Don’t do it,’ but it was too late now.

‘Shannon’s up with her,’ Lucy said, smiling at her. ‘Pour yourself a coffee and join us.’

‘Lucy,’ Sarah said, and the tone of her voice made Lucy look up. ‘I have something I need to tell you. It’s going to be difficult for you to hear, but I’m really hoping you can keep an open mind.’

Jennyreached over and took Lucy’s hand.

‘Oh, God, what now?’ Lucy said, looking distressed.

‘I need you to read this,’ Sarah said, taking a sheet of paper from her bag and unfolding it. She placed it on the table in front of Lucy, who bent to read it.

As she read, Lucy began to gasp, ‘No, no, no.’ Then she bent her head down, right onto the table, and let out a wail, like that of an injured animal.

‘Jesus Christ, what does it say?’ Billy asked, jumping up in alarm.

Lucy raised her head. ‘How could you, Sarah? How could you do this? He … he … I can’t deal with this. He can’t come back … He can’t just turn up! What the hell are you doing to me?’

Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I’m sorry, Lucy. I tried to put him off, but he has a right to know them,’ she said.

‘He has no rights,’ Lucyshouted. ‘None.’

‘Lucy,’ Jenny pleaded, ‘he’s their dad. He didn’t know they existed.’

‘He didn’t want to know!’ Lucy screamed. ‘You’ve both betrayed me, you know how much he hurt me. How could you? Now! When I’m on my knees. Now, with Kelly … How could you?’

‘I’m sorry,’ Sarah whispered. ‘But there’s never going to be a good time and he’s here.’ She walked to the front door and opened it.

‘What the hell is going on?’ Billy said.