‘I have an announcement to make,’ he said, ‘a very important one. You all know that Sophie and I intend to get married … well, we’ve booked the day and you’re all invited. It’s next week. We’re not making a big thing of it, just the family, because there’s less chance of the press finding out that way.’ He looked across at Peter. ‘We have our own official press rep, who will do what’s necessary and report on the wedding.’

Peter nodded.

‘Tom is going to be best man, and Andi—’

‘Is going to be best woman,’ she said, with one of her cheeky grins. ‘Equal treatment for women, please.’

Everyone laughed.

Andi leaned towards her mother. ‘Pity Willi and co. have to come. They’re bound to be wearing sour faces.’

‘Shh. He can’t help it.’ But she agreed with her daughter. Poor William. He’d apologised, but would never be happy about her second marriage, or about anything really. Some people didn’t seem capable of enjoying life. But he was still her son and she loved him.

‘The second thing, not quite as important but still good news, is that I’ve decided to record an album for little children.’

‘Told you so,’ Andi whispered to Tom.

‘Hayley, come and sing our first song for everyone.’

She walked out, very self-important, and stood next to her grandfather. When he nodded and played a note, she began to sing. He and her father provided soft support for the tune and harmonies to go with it.

‘One little birdie …’

Sophie watched them with happy tears in her eyes, turned to Andi and exchanged smiles.

She almost didn’t dare tempt fate by thinking it, but all was right with her world.

And she was quite sure she and Jez would be happy together. She caught his eye and they smiled across the room at one another.

She was so glad she’d come to live in Chestnut Lane.

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About the Author

Anna Jacobs is the author of over ninety novels and is addicted to storytelling. She grew up in Lancashire, emigrated to Australia in the 1970s and writes stories set in both countries. She loves to return to England regularly to visit her family and soak up the history. She has two grown-up daughters and a grandson, and lives with her husband in a spacious home near the Swan Valley, the earliest wine-growing area in Western Australia. Her house is crammed with thousands of books.

annajacobs.com

By Anna Jacobs

The Penny Lake Series