Nico looked at her. ‘Unlucky, kid,’ he murmured, heart twisting that she wasn’t even surprised at getting short shrift. He thought of his own beginnings with two fantastic parents, even if they’d parted, and four fab grandparents.

He thought of Maria left alone to cry herself into dehydration. A mother and two grandparents too caught up in their own upheavals to spare her even basic attention. No father worth the name.

His resentments were bubbling over but they didn’t lie with the little girl. He crouched in front of her. ‘Juice, Maria?’

A smile lit the hazel eyes that were not like Loren’s and not like his. ‘Yes, p’ease, Mydad.’

It wasn’t hard to smile back.

Chapter Five

Hannah Anna Butik mentioned you in a comment.

Nico touched the notification on his phone screen and read Hannah’s response to the comment he’d left on her page about how well her shop was dressed. Genius indeed!

Hannah Anna Goodbody has sent you a message. As Maria was eating Frosties with mmm-mmm-mmm’s of enjoyment and Josie was upstairs cleaning her teeth, glum because it was Monday and she had to return to school, Nico opened that also.

Hannah Anna Goodbody Didn’t want to say it publicly but takings are up by over sixty per cent this week! Honestly, Nico, I owe you dinner. Thanks again and see you at the wedding.

He spooned up the last of his granola. Hannah wrote exactly as she spoke and he could imagine her wide-eyed emphasis on ‘Honestly, Nico!’ He clicked reply. Glad the customers are buying. Then, after a moment’s thought: Dinner would be great but not expected.

‘Daddy,’ said Josie in a small voice from the kitchen doorway. ‘Can I stay and help you with Maria today?’

Nico’s parent radar pinged into action. He put his phone away and gave his daughter a reassuring smile. ‘It’s a school day, sweetie. Maria and I will be fine till you come home.’

Josie looked down, blinking. ‘I don’t like school any more.’

He slipped an arm around her, seeing Emelie hovering in the hall, looking anxious. He said, ‘This isn’t like you. Mrs Calcashaw thinks you’ll settle in.’ He’d had several conversations with her on this subject.

The look Josie sent him was full of wounded betrayal.

The food he’d eaten turned to cold cement in his stomach. Did every parent feel like this when their kid was unhappy? ‘How about Maria and I walk you to school today? It’s a treat,’ he added, when she brightened. ‘I’d love to do it every day, but it’s not possible.’

‘OK.’ Josie sighed.

Emelie said brightly, ‘Shall we take Maria to the bathroom and help her wash her face and clean her teeth?’

‘OK,’ Josie repeated, not sounding comforted by this distraction.

Tilly arrived, blowing in through the back door, wiping her feet. ‘Hey,’ she said, briefly.