‘Really well,’ Rachel replied. ‘He loved the staff, and all the new toys were definitely a good reason to go back, he said.’

‘Sounds encouraging,’ Holly said carefully. She knew that, underneath her quiet, capable and calm facade, Rachel was likely to be more than a bit nervous about handing over Harry to anyone else, if only for a short time each week. ‘And you’re OK with it?’

Rachel paused. ‘Yes, I think so.’ She sighed. ‘I know I should be preparing myself to take a step back, with him starting school this year, but it’s been just me and Harry for so long, since Callum and I went our separate ways, that I’m struggling to let go of the reins. And there’s the risks of illness and infection, of course.’

‘The nursery’s got a great reputation,’ Holly said. ‘And they’re small enough to be able to give him all of the support he needs. I’m sure he’ll be fine.’

‘Oh, so am I, really,’ Rachel said. ‘It’s just that I worry about him picking up a bug. I mean, I know all kids do, but it puts him back for days, if not weeks, at a time.’

Holly’s heart ached for Rachel. As Harry’s aunt, she knew to a certain extent how tricky managing his condition could be, but it was Rachel who coped, largely alone, with the day-to-day issues. And Rachel who had to contend with the fact that her beloved son could gain valuable years of his life if given access to the next generation of medications. In the three years since Harry had come into her life, she’d become almost as much as an expert on cystic fibrosis as Rachel had, but it still frustrated and saddened her that the government couldn’t come to an agreement about the funding of the new drugs.

‘But today I did get to see your Sunday lunch guest in his official capacity,’ Rachel continued. ‘I thought I’d book an appointment since Harry had his session at nursery, and I’ve given him all of the information to look at, so who knows?’

‘I hope he can help,’ Holly said carefully. As an MP, she still couldn’t quite trust that Charlie would help, but from what she was beginning to get to know about him as a person, he seemed sincere in his desire to change things and engage with his constituents. ‘Let me know what happens.’

‘Oh, I will,’ Rachel said. ‘And you keep me posted, too. I can’t wait to hear how he reacts when you do eventually come clean to him about your scandalous past!’

Holly picked up the cushion that was in her lap and chucked it at her sister. ‘Scandalous, my arse! You were just taking the piss about how boring and square I still am.’