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Adam took a box out of his pocket. ‘This is for you, Charlie.’

‘I don’t need diamonds.’ Charlie smiled.

‘It’s not.’

Charlie opened the box. Inside he found a lock of Sarah’s hair. ‘Oh … oh … it’s …’ He picked up the lock of hair and held it tenderly in the palm of his hand. ‘My golden girl,’ he whispered. ‘Beautiful.’

‘Well done, man,’ Rob said.

‘Thanks, Adam. Sorry for calling you a prick.’ Riley smiled sheepishly at her uncle.

‘I was behaving like one. I need people to call me out when I’m being an arse.’

‘Happy to oblige.’ Riley grinned.

Rob looked at his watch. ‘I’m really sorry to break up this moment, but I’ve got to go to the airport.’

‘And I need to get Riley to school,’ Mia said. They all stood up.

‘We’ll miss you, Rob.’ Mia hugged him. ‘You’ve been an absolute rock. Thank you for everything.’

‘I’m glad I could help in some small way.’ Then Robwhispered in her ear, ‘Look out for Adam, won’t you? He needs you guys. I know he can be difficult, but he’s a good man.’

Mia patted him on the back. ‘I promise you that we will.’

Adam picked up his car keys. ‘Well, I’d better get you to your flight on time or Ellen will never forgive me. What am I going to do without you, bro? I’ve got used to having you around.’

‘You’ll be all right. You’ve got a big family right here who have your back.’

‘Why don’t you bring Izzy over for dinner tonight?’ Mia suggested.

‘Thanks, Mia, but I’ll pass. I feel pretty shattered, to be honest, but tomorrow would be lovely,’ Adam said.

‘Great, we’ll see you then.’

They waved goodbye to Rob and Adam.

‘Well, now.’ Charlie turned to Mia. ‘The man has a heart after all.’

Mia smiled. ‘Yes, he does, and we need to nurture it.’

‘I’m kind of wrecked. Can I skip my exam?’ Riley asked.

‘No, love, not a chance.’

Riley groaned and climbed into the back of Charlie’s car.

‘Do you think we’re going to be OK, Dad?’ Mia asked.

Charlie looked up at the sky. ‘We just keep putting one foot in front of the other, Mia. That’s all we can do.’

Mia walked around and climbed into the passenger seat. He was right: there was no miracle cure, it was just life – getting on with it and waiting for the pain to subside.

54

Mia was dabbing night cream around her red, puffy eyes when Johnny came into the bathroom. He stood beside her, leaning against the white-tiled wall. ‘I need to talk to you about something. I’ve tried to find the right time but there hasn’t been any right time lately.’

Mia washed the cream off her hands. It would take a miracle to make her eyes look better. She’d aged so much in the last three weeks. They all had.