“Look…” I put a hand on his shoulder. “Until recently, I thought you were like the rest of our family. You didn’t want to have anything to do with me and that was fine, because the fewer reminders I had of my childhood, the better. But it was great to see you – to know there’s someone in my family who isn’t, well, you know…” I take a deep breath. “I’d really like to meet Tilly. Why don’t you pick her up and bring her back here? We’re going to order takeaways. It might be a little chaotic for her, but you don’t have to stay long… unless you want to?”

He lifts his head. “She’s usually tired after being in hospital.”

“Well, see how she is when you pick her up. Let her choose.”

Will nods slowly. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. She’s my niece. I’d like to get to know her.”

Suddenly, Will is on his feet. He pulls me into a tight hug and I try to relax my tense body. A member of my family is voluntarily hugging me. It’s beyond comprehension. I carefully put my arms around him and squeeze in return.

Will’s body begins to shake and I think he’s crying – again something unheard of – until he pulls back and I discover he’s laughing.

“If only our parents could see us now,” he says.

I laugh softly. “They’d be horrified.”

Mags comes into the kitchen.

“Lily has sent me to enquire as to the whereabouts of the glasses,” she says, eyeing us carefully.

Will takes a step towards the door. “I’d better go and check on Tilly.” He gives me a fragile smile. “We may or may not be back soon.”

“Fantastic!” Mags says with her usual enthusiasm. “I’d love to meet Tilly.”

“Me too,” I say with a lot less volume but with just as much conviction.

“Bye.”

Will leaves quickly without another word to anyone.

“Everything all right?” Mags asks, handing me some glasses to carry.

“Yeah.”

She lifts her eyebrows, but I ignore the questioning look.

We gather in the nursery and fill our glasses with bubbly liquid – sparkling water for Emma and me, and sparkling wine for the others.

“Here’s to all of you,” I say, raising a glass. “The best friends a person could wish for.” I cough as my throat tightens. “Thank you so much. For everything.”

“To Trish’s baby,” says Emma, raising her glass and giving me a wink. “He or she is going to have the best mum in the world.”

“Hear hear,” everyone says, chinking their glasses and grinning.

“Thanks for letting me be a part of today,” says Scott.

Lily gives him a nudge. “You did all right. We might allow you to hang out with us again. For a price.”

“And what price would that be?” he asks.