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‘Please!’ Tom said desperately.

‘You’re not my dad and I’m not your son. You mean nothing to me. These people are my family, not you,’ Dylanchoked out, as he looked around the room at the people who had raised him.

‘Go away, Tom,’ Lucy cried. ‘No one wants you here. You’re not welcome. Go, and you can go too, Sarah.Get out of this house. I never want to see either of you again.’

‘Why the hell are you talking to my mum like that?’ Shannon was standing at the door, holding Kelly, who was leaning on her friend and staring at them wide-eyed. ‘What’s going on?’

Beside her, Kelly was gazing at Tom. They had locked eyes.

‘Oh, my God,’ Kelly gasped. ‘It’s you, isn’t it?’

Tom nodded.

‘He’s who?’ Shannon said.Then she looked from Tom back to Kelly and back again. ‘Bloody hell!’ she shouted. ‘You’re the image of him! Are you her dad?’

‘Yes, I’m her dad,’ Tom said, his heart bursting with pride.

‘No, no, no way,’ Lucy said, rushing forward. ‘Don’t even look at her. Get out. Take him out, Sarah, and don’t either of you ever come back. I won’t let you rip my family apart.’

‘Don’t be mean to Mum,’ Shannonsaid fiercely. ‘She’s been a great friend to you – always there for you and the twins. She’s been a rock to you, Lucy, and don’t you go forgetting that now.’

Lucy’s face was flushed. ‘But she lied to me and she betrayed me. I can’t forgive that.’

‘Well, try harder. Remember all the amazing things Mum has done. And by the way,’ she looked at Tom, ‘I think you’re a total dickhead for running away.’

‘I was,’ Tom said. ‘Really and truly. But I didn’t know about the twins. My father told me Lucy had had an abortion. I had no idea he was lying. So I went away. I was a pathetic coward but I didn’t know. I swear to you. To both ofyou,’ he said, looking at Dylan. ‘I wish so badly that things had been different. I’ve missed so much of your lives. I’m just so sorry.’

Tom began to sob. He coveredhis face with his hand. His shoulders shook. He sounded like a lost child.

Kelly stood up straight and took a few slow steps towards him. She reached out her hand and held his. ‘Don’t cry. It’s okay. You’re here now.’