‘I shall try to follow your example from now on.’

‘And in the meantime, let’s enjoy our ride. I’ve never been in a limo before. Isn’t it comfortable?’

All he could enjoy was the relief of having escaped from his mother, but he didn’t want to spoil Jane’s pleasure by saying that. He had, he realised with a feeling of shame, rarely defied his mother, even after he’d grown up, except about trying to contact his father and about marrying Gail. How pitiful was that for a twenty-six-year-old man?

He felt as if he’d grown ten years older in the past month. Once they were settled in London, he’d find a job so that he didn’t have to live on his father’s charity and …

Tom had forgotten how luxurious the hotel was. He felt as if he and the children were in the wrong place, even though the staff were clearly expecting him and fussed over him from the minute he walked through the door. But the concierge hadn’t been quick enough to hide his amazement and scorn at the pile of plastic bags that were carried in, and Ryan had started crying the minute they entered the foyer, so that another guest turned his head to look at them with a pained expression.

Jane bent over to comfort the little boy while Tom kept hold of Hayley’s hand. By some miracle, Ryan stopped howling and let his face be wiped clean of snot and tears.

The woman on reception gave Tom a professional smile. ‘We’ve been expecting you, sir. I’ll just get someone to show you up to your father’s suite.’

Tom was terrified about what two small children would do to the beautiful rooms of the suite. Then his father came hurrying across the day area, beaming, arms outstretched to give him a cracking big hug. Suddenly things didn’t seem as fraught.

‘This is Jane, Mrs Burtill, who’s going to look after the children.’

Jane shook his hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr Winter. I need to get these two to the toilet straight away, if you don’t mind.’

He showed them the two adjoining bedrooms she and the children would use, with their own en-suite bathroom. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to sleep on the next floor of the hotel, Tom. Is that all right?’

‘Fine.’ He looked round. ‘I’d forgotten how beautiful it is here. You could fit my mother’s whole house into this sitting room.’

Jez shrugged. ‘I’ve grown used to it now, but I grew up in a small house, too. What I’m looking forward to is moving into my new home. We can go and look at it tomorrow, if you like. There’s a cottage for you and the children, and a flat next to it for Jane. They’re sending some furniture round tonight. Donna – my PA – wondered exactly what the children would need, apart from beds.’

‘So do I,’ Tom said ruefully. ‘We’ll ask Jane. She’s a very capable woman.’