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‘No way!’ Sarah gasped. ‘Gabriel’s one of the board members who signed off the scholarship?’

‘Yes!’

‘Do you think he knows?’

‘Are you nuts? He’d never have let them in.’

They burst out laughing.

‘That’s poetic justice,’ Sarah said. ‘I love it. Do you think Gabriel hasany idea at all they are his grandchildren?’

‘None. He never knew their Christian names and Murphy, as he so sweetly pointed out, is a common name. So he has no idea that he signed off on allowing the slut’s offspring into his posh alma mater.’

They laughed again and clinked glasses, then sat sipping their wine in companionable silence. Lucy was in such a good mood that Sarah decided to chanceasking a question she’d been mulling over for a while.

‘Lucy, do you think the twins might want to look for Tom when they leave school?’

Lucy sat up in her chair and frowned. ‘No, I don’t. They know how much he hurt me and that he wanted nothing to do with them. Why the hell would they look for him? He didn’t want them. He’s dead to them.’

‘Okay.’ Sarah took a large gulp of wine.

‘Sorry, Ididn’t mean to snap.’

‘It’s fine. I understand.’

‘Dad forgot to mention you in his speech. You’ve been so good to me, Sarah. Really, I couldn’t have done it without your shoulder to cry on and your ear to bash and your kindness and help with babysitting, and taking us on holidays with you and, well, all of it. So, thank you.’

Sarah waved a hand. ‘Stop, you’ll have me bawling. Besides, I loveyou and your kids. Kelly is like the sister Shannon never had – the sensible sister she never had – and Dylan is so patient with Ollie and his madness. He’s a saint.’

Jenny came out. ‘When you two are finished gossiping, Ollie’s just karate-chopped Dad in the nuts and knocked over Kelly’s cake.’

Sarah groaned. ‘Every time! Every bloody time we leave the house he causes mayhem. Stay there. I’llsee you later.’

‘Thanks for coming, and bringing the cake.’

Lucy sat back and raised her face to the sun. Inside thehouse she could hear Darren and Sarah giving out to Ollie and the poor boy trying to defend himself.

She heard someone come out and sit beside her. She opened one eye. It was Dylan.

‘Ollie’s a nutter.’

‘I know, but he’s a good kid. He just has a lot of energy.’ Ollie was ahandful, but Lucy loved him and would defend him to the end.

‘Thanks for the surprise party,’ Dylan said.

‘You’re welcome. Thanks for making me so proud.’

‘Mum.’

‘Yes?’

‘Granddad’s right. You’re a brilliant mum. Thanks for everything. I love you.’

Lucy closed her eyes and let the warmth of his affection wash over her body and soul. She could feel it – this was the start of something special.The best part of their lives was just about to begin.