The girls began laughing behind her back. Dan shot them a wink before moving over to Nina and giving a kiss and a long hug. Then he put his arms around Millie’s neck. “You be in charge,” he whispered into her ear. “Give me a call if anything goes haywire.”

“All right, Dad,” Millie said, giving him a smacking kiss on the side of his neck. “Even though you’re dressed like a prat, I still love ya.”

Dan laughed. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Give my love to everyone up there.”

“I will do.” He broke away from Millie’s embrace. “Right, you lot, I think you should get away home. There’s no point waiting until the train leaves.”

He stood watching them until they had reached the gate at the top of the platform. They turned and gave him an enthusiastic wave before disappearing into the crowded terminus. He shook his head slowly. What a difference, he thought to himself. Six months ago, those girls would hardly have acknowledged his existence, yet now they could not be more close to him. He tilted back his head and gazed up at the cavernous glass roof of the station. Six months ago, he had been precisely here, on his way up to Scotland on some whimsical jaunt, without one iota of realization that his selfish, insular existence had led his family into crisis. And what a price he had had to pay for it.

He turned and walked over to the carriage door, then glanced back to where he had last seen Battersea Gran and Millie and Nina. He could never afford to make that mistake again. Two families now depended on it. He knew that he owed that much to Patrick.

And as he boarded the train, he thought of Katie and he grinned as her shrewd advice came to mind. He took his wallet from the inside pocket of his jacket, and extracting a ten-pound note, he went off in search of the car attendant.