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Izzy’s frown faded. ‘I love my dress so much, Mummy.’

‘Me too. You look like an angel in it.’

Izzy clapped her hands together. ‘Only a few weeks to go!’

The bell rang as Sarah packed a water bottle into herdaughter’s lunchbox. Izzy clambered down from the stool and ran to open the door. Mia was standing on the step.

‘Morning, sunshine. Ready to go?’ Mia asked her niece.

‘Yes. Is Riley in the car?’

‘Yes, she is and she’s grumpy, as usual.’ Mia came into the kitchen followed by Izzy, who grabbed her schoolbag and lunchbox, gave her mother a quick kiss and ran to the car.

‘She’s obsessed with Riley,’ Sarah said.

‘God love her, she’ll get no joy from her this morning. Riley’s in a foul mood.’

‘Quick coffee?’ Sarah asked.

‘No time.’

‘You look nice. I love that colour on you,’ Sarah said.

Mia was clearly surprised. Sarah knew her sister wasn’t feeling good about herself, these days.

‘Thanks.’

‘Green has always been your colour. It matches your eyes.’ Sarah grinned at her sister.

‘Pity about the big saggy bags underneath.’ Mia sighed.

‘Stop that! You’re gorgeous. Thanks for taking Izzy.’

‘I can take her every day. After all, we’re going to the same place.’

‘I know, but I like taking her to school. Well, I used to, but now I have to avoid certain mothers.’

‘Have you seen them?’

‘Yes, but only from a distance. We all ignored each other.’

‘Did any of the other mums mention it?’ Mia asked.

‘Harry’s mum told me she’d heard there was an altercation in the Ladies.’

‘What did you say?’ Mia asked.

‘I said I’d heard some mums being mean about Izzy so I defended her. I didn’t name names.’

‘Nicely handled. I asked the headmistress to let me knowif anyone approached her about Izzy or anything to do with Izzy. I checked again with her yesterday and there’s been nothing so far.’

‘Phew.’ Sarah smiled. ‘Tell me, how’s Johnny getting on? Any sign of something turning up for him?’

Mia shrugged. ‘There don’t seem to be any jobs for journalists. I think he may have to retrain as something else.’

‘Like what?’

Mia rubbed her eyes. ‘I don’t know. I need to look into options.’