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‘Me three,’ Riley said, behind them. She put her arms around her mother and kissed her cheek. ‘I’m here for you, Mum. I know that no one can ever replace Sarah, but I’m going to try to be a better daughter and a friend to you as well.’

Mia smiled at her and stroked her cheek. ‘Thank you.’

They stood and held each other as Sarah’s ashes sailed away on the ocean. Gone but not forgotten.

July

57

Mia watched out of the window as they pulled up in the car. She could see suitcases piled high in the back. She ran down to greet them.

Izzy bounded towards her. ‘Daddy said you have a super-special present for me!’ she said.

‘Yes, I do. Come on in.’

Mia kissed Adam’s cheek and the three of them went into the kitchen. She looked at Adam. He nodded. She bent down and handed Izzy a package.

‘What is it?’ Izzy asked.

‘It’s a very special gift that your mummy left for you. I wanted to wait until the right time to give them to you, when things were calmer and you had time to read them with your daddy. Your mummy wrote seven letters to you. One for each year of your life.’

‘Wow. I didn’t know that she’d done that,’ Adam said.

‘I found them in her diary, which I wanted to give to you.’ She handed it to him.

‘I was wondering where that was,’ Adam said.

‘I kept it because it made me feel close to her. I’m sorry, I should have given it to you before but I … Well, sorry.’

Adam hugged it to his chest. ‘I wouldn’t have been able to handle reading it before now anyway.’

Mia knodded and turned to Izzy. ‘I thought you could read the letters on the plane with your dad. It’ll help pass some of the time.’

‘I can’t wait.’ Izzy’s eyes shone.

‘It’ll be like a really special present from your mum.’

Adam held out his hand. ‘Will I keep those safe for you, Izzy, so we can read them later – just the two of us?’

Izzy nodded. ‘Yes, please, Daddy. Keep them super-safe.’

‘Riley’s upstairs if you want to say hi,’ Mia told her.

Izzy darted out of the room and up to see her cousin.

‘So,’ Mia said.

‘So.’ Adam smiled.

‘Are you looking forward to Canada?’

Adam nodded. ‘We need a change. The house is so quiet without her. It feels like a stranger’s home. I want to take Izzy away from all the sorrow and let her be a kid again. Being with Rob and Ellen will be good for both of us.’

‘It will. It’ll be nice for you to have Rob’s support too.’

‘Yes, he’s been great. He’s on the phone constantly.’

‘You need a break. You’ve been through so much.’