She raised hers and clinked it against his. ‘I love you too, Jez. So very much.’

‘I’m hoping you’ll teach me to do the marriage thing right this time.’

‘Be sure of it.’

Andi came home the next morning looking pleased with herself but with dark circles under her eyes that said she still wasn’t sleeping properly.

Sophie had sent Jez home early, because she wanted to break the news about their deepening relationship to her daughter on her own. She was terrified Andi might say something to upset him when she found out.

‘How did it go, darling?’

‘Easy-peasy, Mum. They were lovely children and I really enjoyed playing with them, talking to them. Children are so uncomplicated. They want me to babysit tonight as well. It’s their anniversary.’

‘That’s marvellous. Well done.’

She looked at her mother, then stared harder. ‘I suppose he spent the night here.’

‘Yes. I had a wonderful time.’ Sophie couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

Andi’s tone became sharper. ‘I’d better move out as soon as I can, then, and leave you two lovebirds alone.’

‘Oh, darling, please don’t spoil it for me.’

They frowned at one another across the kitchen, then Andi’s shoulders sagged. ‘I just can’t seem to get my head around it – you finding another guy, that is.’

‘Please try. It’s so important to me.’

‘You’ll be telling me next that you’re going to marry him.’ She gaped in shock as her mother’s face went crimson. ‘Already?’

Sophie nodded. ‘When someone is right, you just know. Well, I do. It was exactly the same with your father. Please be happy for me – for us.’

Andi saw how her mother’s face was soft with love and made a big effort not to spoil that, though she wasn’t sure she trusted Jez Winter not to hurt such a gentle person.

She gave her mother a hug, hiding her face in Sophie’s shoulder so that she wouldn’t betray the contradictory feelings that were tearing her apart. There was resentment, jealousy and yet a wish that her mother really would be happy with Jez. Then she remembered. ‘What about the breast-cancer thing?’

‘He doesn’t care, except for my wellbeing of course. And he knows that I’ve not yet reached my five-year anniversary, that it could happen again. But nothing’s ever guaranteed in life, is it?’

Her face went sad in that special way she had when she was thinking of Andi’s father. ‘You won’t – forget Dad?’

‘Of course not. After all our years together, Bill’s an integral part of who I am now.’

‘But you’ve accepted Jez’s proposal, haven’t you?’

‘Oh, yes. And it’s made me very happy.’

Andi sought for something to lighten the moment and suddenly thought of William and Kerry’s reaction to this news. She couldn’t help grinning. ‘Can I be there when you tell my dear brother?’

‘I was going to phone him.’

‘Can I listen in?’

‘Why?’

‘Because he and Kerry will be furious. They’re already grudging every penny you spend because you’ll have less to leave to them. The thought of you having a husband and your money being out of their control will drive them absolutely crazy.’