Emma gives a small smile. “But he broke your heart, Trish. And though you always act as tough as nails, we saw what effect it had on you. You became harder, put up another wall”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“No, Trish, it’s the truth.” She pauses. “You know what I’ve been thinking about for the past few weeks? Lily and Mags have mentioned it, too.”

I have a feeling I don’t want to know where this is heading and take a large bite of cake. It lodges in my throat and I have to swallow hard to force it down.

“Your brother, Will,” Emma says. “It was so great to see you with him and Tilly. It made us realize that up till now, it’s been you, on your own.”

“What’s your point?”

Emma sighs. “Oh, I don’t know. I guess it’s like there have been these chinks in your armour recently. Maybe it’s time to talk to someone about your past. Any mention of your parents, you clam up.”

“We weren’t all blessed with a golden childhood.”

Emma shakes her head. “Trish, I’m not attacking you. Why are you on the defensive?”

“I’m not. Anyway, what has my useless excuse for a family got to do with Pete?”

Emma purses her lips and doesn’t say a word.

“I thought you and Pete got on well,” I say.

“We did. Sort of.” Emma sighs. “What if he isn’t the dad?” she asks softly.

“He probably is.”

“But if he isn’t, will he still support you? Will he… will he stick around?”

I shrug.

“You deserve someone who wants to be with you no matter what.”

“Are you saying he’s only back because he wants some sort of ownership of this baby?” I place a protective hand on my belly.

“I hope he isn’t.”

“Wow, you really don’t have much faith in the guy.”

I want to tell her about the foot massage Pete gave me last night, his excitement at every kick the baby gives, the way he looks at me with such desire I know he’d like nothing more than to take me to bed. But before I can mention any of these things, Freddie bursts through the door, closely followed by Finn.

“Mum.” Freddie throws himself at his mum.

She lifts him onto her lap, smiling. “Hey, little man. Look who’s here.”

Freddie gives me a toothy grin. “Hi, Trish.”

“He wanted to say goodbye. We’re off to the park with Kai,” Finn says, ruffling Freddie’s hair then bending to kiss Emma on the cheek.

He’s a good-looking man that Finn, and he knows it.

“Hi, Trish.” Finn gives me a peck on the cheek.

“Welcome home, how did your first experience as a park ranger go?”