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‘Tell me straight away,’ Izzy imitated Sarah’s voice. ‘I know, Mummy, you’ve told me lots of times. But no one is being mean to me. Everyone is nice to everyone. Well, except Max and Ben who fight all the time, but we just ignore them. Boys can be so silly.’

Sarah laughed. ‘Good. I promise I won’t ask again for at least a day.’

They headed downstairs. Adam was standing in the hall, dressed in a suit, his car keys in his hand.

Izzy twirled. Adam looked to his wife for guidance.

‘Hair,’ she mouthed.

‘Wow, Izzy, your hair looks amazing!’ he exclaimed.

‘Thanks. Mummy helped me.’

‘Right, gotta go.’ Adam headed towards the door.

‘Daddy!’ Izzy shouted. ‘You never kissed me goodbye and you didn’t kiss me goodnight either.’

Adam turned back. ‘Sorry, Sweet-pea. I had to work late last night.’

‘You’re always working late,’ Izzy complained.

Adam picked up his disgruntled daughter and swung her high in the air, covering her face with kisses.

‘Stop, Daddy!’ she squealed. ‘Too much kissing.’

He put her down. ‘You can never have too many kisses, can you, Sarah?’

Sarah shook her head. ‘Nope.’

Adam kissed her and winked at Izzy. ‘I’ll see you ladies later.’

‘Bye. Good luck with the meeting today. Don’t be late for the scan,’ Sarah reminded him.

Adam smiled. ‘I should make it in time. I’ve a good feeling we’ll get this contract, and if we do, I’m booking us a fancy holiday this summer.’

‘Make it early June so I’m not hugely pregnant in my bikini.’

‘You’re gorgeous pregnant,’ he said, kissing her again.

‘Enough kissing. Go to work, Daddy.’ Izzy pushed him out of the door.

Sarah packed Izzy’s lunchbox while her daughter sat at the counter, chatting to her.

‘Not carrots again, Mummy,’ Izzy complained.

‘They’re healthy and good for you and will make your eyes shine.’

‘My eyesareshiny. You just can’t see them through my stinky glasses.’

Sarah looked into her daughter’s blue eyes and smiled. ‘They’re beautiful, and they shine through the glasses, which are cute and cool.’

Izzy wrinkled her nose. ‘I hate them.’

Sarah leaned forward to look at her daughter. ‘I know you do, sweetie, but you’ll get used to them and you do admit they help you see better – and youarea gorgeous girl with them.’

‘I’m not wearing them on my Communion Day. I don’t care if I can’t see perfectly.’

‘That’s a deal. You can take them off for that special day.’