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‘I’m really touched,’ Tina said. ‘My mum was a lovely woman. She died far too young, and now thisnew Kelly will remind me of her.’ She leant down to kiss Lucy.

‘You should have called them Doug and Carol,’ Jenny said.

Lucy sighed. ‘I am not naming my kids after characters inER.’

‘But Doug is so hot!’

‘What in God’s name is she talking about?’ Billy asked.

‘Some television show,’ Tina explained.

‘Mum pretends she doesn’t watch it, but she does.’

Tina laughed. ‘Well, George Clooneydoes look very handsome in scrubs.’

Kelly began to cry, sounding like a kitten mewing. Tina picked her up and cuddled her. As Billy watched his wife, memories flooded back of her as a young mother, holding Lucy just after she was born. He wanted to weep. This was life, the circle of life. His lovely wife was holding her granddaughter. Billy’s heart felt as if it would burst with love, for hiswife, his daughters and now his two tiny grandchildren. To hell with Tom, these babies would grow up surrounded by love and that was all any child needed.

Now Dylan was crying too. Billy picked him up. ‘Here, Dad.’ Lucy held her hands out.

Billy placed her son gently in her arms. Lucy held him to her and put her cheek against his. He quietened immediately. Lucy closed her eyes.

‘You’re a natural,’Tina said.

Lucy opened her eyes and smiled, a proper smile, a realone. Billy realized it was the first time he’d seen her happy in months. He’d remember this moment.

‘So, this is all great and I’m thrilled for you, sis, but I’m starving. Can we go for food?’ Jenny asked.

A midwife bustled in. ‘Hello, everyone, congratulations. I’m just signing on for the evening. I’m Barbara, I’ll be lookingafter you tonight. Now, how are the little dotes? How’s Mum?’

‘I’m tired but fine.’

‘Sure, of course you’re tired. I’m here to help. Now, folks, I need to run through a few things with Lucy and the dad. Is he here?’

‘No,’ Lucy said, her voice strong and clear. ‘There is no dad. It’s just me.’

Barbara didn’t bat an eyelid. ‘Well, let’s get these little ones changed and I’ll help you feed them.’

‘See? Lucy’s fine. She’s got Barbara here so can we please go? We’ve been here for eight hours and I need proper food,’ Jenny moaned.

Lucy looked up. ‘Go on, Mum, honestly. Barbara will help me.’

‘Absolutely. Sure that’s what I’m here for,’ Barbara chirped. ‘Off you go and get some dinner. We’ll see you in the morning. She’s in good hands, don’t worry a bit.’

‘Are you sure?’ Tina asked Lucy.

‘Yes, Mum, honestly.’

Billy, Tina and Jenny hugged her, then one by one left the room. Tina asked one last time, ‘Hundred per cent sure?’

Lucy smiled. ‘Yes, go.’

Barbara showed Lucy how to change nappies, feed the babies and burp them. She said she’d show her how to bathe them the next day. Then she held Kelly and Lucy held Dylan and they fed them their bottles. Dylan gulped his down, burpedand fell asleep.

‘He’s a real man,’ Barbara said, laughing.

Kelly took a while to settle, and Lucy was glad Barbara was looking after her.

The midwife tucked them all in and told Lucy to press the call button if she needed any help or painkillers during the night. Lucy thought she might be in love with Barbara, she was so nice.

When the midwife left the room, Lucy gingerly swung her legs tothe side of the bed and leant over the plastic bassinet where her two little angels were snuggled up side by side.

‘Dylan and Kelly, I promise you that I will be the best mum I can be. I will love you so much that you won’t even miss having a dad. I will protect you and mind you and give you the best life possible. I will do whatever I can to make up for your shitty dad running away. I’m youngand I’m scared, but I’m smart and I’m strong, and I won’t let you down and I will never, ever leave you. I’ll make sure you don’t make the mistakes I did. You’re going to be successful and brilliant. I’m going to show Gabriel and Tom that I can be a great mother. You two are my world now. It’s the three of us, for ever.’