She only woke a few hours later, to find Norm perched on the edge of the bed looking down at them both. Once again she was struck by the tanned, healthy look of his face.

‘So that’s where you got to!’ he said.

‘Sorry.’ Em sat up immediately to give him a hug. ‘It’s just he’s got used to me being in the bed with him. I’m glad he didn’t wake you.’

‘Oh, I was that tired I could’ve slept anywhere,’ Norm said.

He was looking hungrily at his son, whose dark-lashed eyes were just beginning to flicker open. Robbie looked around, dazed, then sat up.

‘Robbie,’ Em said gently. ‘D’you know who this is? This is your daddy.’

Robbie, only half awake, stared at Norm in a dazed way. Norm reached out as if to pick him up, saying, ‘Hello, son.’

But Robbie pulled away, his face creasing, and flung himself against Em, bursting into tears. He hid his face against his mother’s body.

‘Oh dear!’ Em said. ‘I’m sorry, love – maybe this wasn’t the best moment. He’s not even awake yet, and he is sometimes a bit grumpy in the mornings.’ She saw how hurt Norm looked. ‘He’ll be all right when he’s had a bite to eat, love – just give him a bit of time.’

She coaxed Robbie through his breakfast.

‘He’s not sure about Norm,’ Em whispered to Cynthia. She couldn’t help feeling upset, even though she could see that it was all a big shock for the little boy.

‘That’s your dad,’ Cynthia told Robbie, going to him and stroking his hair. Norm was sitting at the table with him, watching him eat. ‘Don’t you want to say hello to your dad?’

Robbie pursed his lips and gave a firm shake of the head.

‘Leave him for now, Mom,’ Em pleaded. ‘Just let him eat.’

When he had had his bread and milk and seemed a bit more awake, she took his hand and said, ‘Would you like to say hello to your dad now?’

Round-eyed, he allowed her to lead him from his place at the table around to where Norm was sitting.

Norm played it gently. ‘Hello,’ he said again. He held out his hand. ‘I’m Norm. I’m your dad.’

Robbie stared, then slowly held out his hand and took Norm’s.

By that evening news of Norm’s arrival had got around and seemed reason for a party. He had been to see his mom and dad, who were all for Norm, Em and Robbie moving in with them, and Em could see that in the end they would have to, though she knew it was going to be a wrench. In the meantime, they spent the evening celebrating with the family – Norm’s parents and Dot and Lou Alberello, old friends of the family. Dot and Cynthia had been neighbours when their children were young and Dot had been a staunch friend, someone whom Em, as well as her mom, had always been able to turn to.