The back garden was surprisingly large, even for a four-bedroom property. It had been an overgrown mess when we’d moved in and we’d cleared it over the years but, when Dad died, Mum was shocked to discover that he’d made provisions in his will for her; more evidence of that caring side that we’d never seen. She paid off the outstanding mortgage, had the kitchen and dining room knocked through and refitted, then had the garden professionally landscaped into terraces. The top terrace was the deck with a large barbeque area, approached through fully folding doors off the new kitchen diner. The next level was a vegetable plot and herb garden, which my green-fingered brother took great pride in maintaining. The next few levels had different types of flower, shrub and water features and a couple of small seating areas, before reaching a grand paved terrace at the bottom with a patio heater and comfy seating. Along the side of the house, completely private from the road, there was a summerhouse and a hot tub with a view.

‘What is your mum doing?’ Karen asked when we’d both made it halfway down our wine with no sign of her. ‘I’m dying to give you your pressie.’

‘I’ll go and find her,’ Logan said.

I stood up. ‘It’s okay. I’ll do it.’ I headed into the house. ‘Mum?’ Silence. ‘Mum?’

Stepping into the hall, I could hear her pacing around upstairs.

‘Mum? Where are you?’

I found her in her bedroom, opening and closing drawers and cupboards, sighing before she shut them. It took me back to the day of Dad’s funeral when she’d been searching for her knickers. Thankfully this time she hadn’t emptied everything over the floor.

‘Are you okay?’

She jumped. ‘You scared me!’

‘Sorry. What are you looking for?’

‘Your birthday card. I’ve found your presents.’ She pointed to a selection of colourful gift bags on the bed. ‘Your card isn’t with them, though. It’s huge and it’s in a bright pink envelope so it should be easy to spot.’

‘Can I help?’

She shook her head. ‘It could be anywhere. You go downstairs. I’ll do one more check in my workshop then I’ll be out. If it’s not there, I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow.’

‘There’s no need.’

‘But it’s your birthday.’

I smiled. ‘Cards are lovely and you know I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love pressies, but the most important thing is being with three of the four people I care most about. Right now, one of them is rummaging in her wardrobes when she should be on the terrace drinking wine with the others.’

She planted her hands on her hips and pretended to look shocked. ‘You’ve given your brother wine?’

I laughed. ‘Make that drinking wine or Irn-Bru.’

‘Phew! Five minutes. I promise.’