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Izzy went ahead of her father and Mia grabbed his arm. ‘Please don’t ruin her day by freezing us out. You’re only hurting her.’

‘I think you’ll find that trying to bully me into switching off the ventilator and give up on her little brother will hurt her a lot more,’ Adam hissed. He pulled away from Mia and marched into the church.

Rob shrugged. ‘Izzy keeps talking about Sarah waking up. He’s barely hanging in there, Mia. All we can do is be here and try to support him.’

‘Miss Mia,’ Katy squealed, as she bustled forward in a big puffy dress.

‘Don’t you look gorgeous!’ Mia nodded at Rob, who moved towards the church door, then arranged her face into a smile for her student. ‘Where are your mum and dad, Katy?’

‘They’re fighting,’ Katy said rolling her eyes. ‘Mummy said my dress was like Belle’s fromBeauty and the Beast, Daddy said it looked like a – a whatsitcalled? Oh, yeah, a gypsy dress. They got into a big fight and Daddy said, “I can’t believe that yoke cost five hundred euros,” and Mummy said, “It was eight, actually,” and Daddy got all red in the face and shouted, “What kind of arseology is this?”’

‘I see,’ Mia said, trying to hide her shock. ‘Well, never mind. Mummies and daddies get a bit excited on Communion Day, too. Look, here they are.’

Mia watched Katy’s mum marching ahead while her father followed behind muttering, ‘Eight hundred bloody quid.’

‘Good morning,’ Mia said loudly. ‘Lovely to see you and your gorgeous daughter. You must be so proud of her.’

‘Good morning. Yes, we are.’ Katy’s mum smiled widely.

Mia turned to Katy’s dad.

‘Yes, yes, of course. She’s a great girl.’ He took Katy’s hand in his. ‘A really great girl.’

‘Excellent. Take your seats and have a wonderful day. These days are very precious.’

Katy’s mum squeezed her arm as she walked by. ‘You hang in there. We’re all praying for your sister.’

Mia turned to wipe her eyes. A handkerchief was put under her nose. ‘How do you never have a hanky?’ Charlie said.

‘Dad? I didn’t know you were coming.’

‘Well, I said to him, “Charlie, you are not going to let Adam stop you seeing your granddaughter on her big day,”’ Olivia’s voice boomed. Mia turned. Olivia was standing behind her in a very bright orange flowery dress. ‘That little pet needs her family now.’

‘Thank you,’ Mia said to Olivia.

Olivia nodded, then said brightly, ‘Well, we’d best get in or all the seats will be taken and I’m not standing in these shoes, I can tell you.’

Mia led them in and found them seats at the back of the church. Izzy saw them and jumped out of her seat to come over.

‘Oh, God,’ Charlie croaked, as Izzy walked towards them. ‘It’s Sarah.’

Olivia gripped his arm. ‘Hold it together, Charlie.’

‘You came!’ Izzy clapped her hands. She gave them a twirl. ‘Do you like my dress? Riley did my hair.’

‘You look sensational,’ Charlie said.

‘Spectacular,’ Olivia added.

‘Izzy!’ Adam’s voice rang out.

‘You’d better take your seat. The mass is going to start soon,’ Mia said.

‘OK.’ Izzy hugged Charlie. ‘I’m so glad you’re here, Granddad.’

‘I wouldn’t miss seeing you today for the world.’

Izzy skipped back to her seat beside Adam.