Emily smiles. Maddy puts her hand out to him. She’s always wanted the girls to have a brother.

Jamie shakes his head and bites his lip. Emily stands by his side. She can’t take her eyes off him.

‘Oh, come on, Jamie, after your dad’s gone to all this trouble to bring us together and bought you some lovely presents too?’ While she’s talking, she slowly manoeuvres herself towards him until she is by his side and her arm can easily reach around his shoulders. Her car is only a short distance away. Emily would love having him around.

‘I’ve got to go.’ He turns on his heel and runs off.

Chapter Forty-Six

Max: November 2017

It was Saturday morning, seven months since he’d first met up with Ali again and here he was, in her maisonette, waking up next to her like they’d been together always, without interruption. He’d hoped that by now he’d have been able to choose between Alison and Maddy, but it was impossible to decide. He loved them both and couldn’t bear the thought of hurting either of them or his kids.

He propped himself up on a pillow. Ali opened her eyes.

‘Happy birthday,’ he said.

She smiled and stretched her arms.

‘Penny for your thoughts?’ He stroked her hair away from her face.

‘I feel like I’m still dreaming.’ She turned towards him. ‘This is the best birthday ever. All I wanted was for us to be together as a family.’

He kissed her lips. ‘I’ve been thinking, now we’ve almost finished the houses on this new estate, how about you and Jamie move into one? Don’t want to be renting all your life, do you?’

Ali sat up. ‘I told you, I can’t afford to move.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ll sort out the deposit.’ He’d feel bad asking Maddy for the money, lying to her about becoming John’s business partner, but Jamie deserved to have as good a life as the girls with a nice home and a big garden. He wanted to be the best dad to Jamie, so he knew he could always count on him, unlike his own lousy parents.

‘Will you move in with us?’ she said.

‘If you want me to.’

‘Do you want to?’ She stroked his stubbly face.