‘Look, you can talk to me, you know,’ she said. ‘About anything. Boys, growing up, friend dramas . . . any of it. I was young once too, remember.’

Judging from her daughter’s face, Amelia was finding that hard to believe. ‘And we’ll make it a two-way thing, obviously,’ she went on. ‘For instance, you may or may not want to know about the hot date that I’ve got lined up once we’re home, but . . .’

‘WHAT?’ Amelia had screeched so loudly that a couple three tables away turned to stare. And then the lecture was most definitely over, because they were straight into a whole other conversation about Paul, and where Maggie and he were going on their first date, and what she might wear, and how they both felt about the whole thing (‘Quite excited actually,’ Maggie confessed. ‘Go, Mum!’ Amelia cried) and they were laughing and confiding in each other, and yes, thought Maggie, they were going to be okay, she and her girl. She was certain of it.

Waiting now, rather wobbly-legged on the high timber platform amidst the trees, their final harness checks had been completed. ‘You’re all set,’ the staff member assured them.

‘Cool,’ said Amelia, then eyed Maggie suspiciously. ‘Are you sure you want to do this, Mum? You look like you’re about to wet yourself.’

‘I probably am about to wet myself,’ Maggie admitted, rolling her eyes, ‘but I’m doing it anyway. I’m taking the plunge. Ready . . . Steady . . . WAAARRRGGHHHH!’

They leapt off together, Maggie holding on for dear life to the cable as she went whizzing at exhilarating speed down through the forest canopy and over a huge lake. ‘Oh my Gooooooooodddd!’ she shrieked, the air punching out of her lungs.

‘Whoaaaaaaa!’ yelled Amelia. ‘Lean back, Mum, it’s awesome! Woohoooooo!’

‘We’re flying!’ cried Maggie joyfully.

It felt so good. I took the plunge and it felt so good, she thought in astonishment. Look at me go, world. Just watch me fly!

Walking through the exquisitely scented rose garden in the hotel grounds, Olivia heard Mack and the boys before she saw them. It was mid-afternoon and the sun was doing its best to break out through the gauzy clouds when she became aware of the sound of two high-pitched voices somewhere nearby. Her heart thumped immediately, an almost painful sensation, and she found herself turning wildly around to find them, breaking into a run when she saw their matching blonde heads leaning over an ornamental fountain. ‘I’m here! I’m here!’ she called.

‘Mummy!’

‘It’s Mummy!’ they yelped, charging towards her at once.