She undid the bow and took off the lid. Looking up at her was a springer spaniel puppy.

‘Oh Adam! He’s so sweet.’

‘Happy birthday!’ Jamie and Max shouted together.

‘We’ve never had a dog before, have we, Mum?’ Jamie knelt on the floor and touched the dog’s velvety face.

‘No, but isn’t he lovely?’

‘I thought he’d be company for you both.’

‘Where have you kept him all night?’ She picked the puppy up and snuggled her face into the downy fur.

‘I collected him first thing this morning, then sneaked back to bed. The breeder lives nearby.’ He rubbed his hands together and glanced at his feet. ‘I thought we could call him Poppy.’

‘But that’s a girl’s name.’ Ali laughed. Jamie pulled a funny face.

‘I know, but they didn’t have a girl and I like the name.’ He shrugged and pulled one of his persuasive grins.

‘All right then,’ Ali said.

Later that morning, they pulled up in Lawn End, part of a new housing estate in a village on the outskirts of Huntingdon. Jamie held Ali’s hand.

Max showed them in. ‘A few things left to do, and it’ll be ready if you like it.’ He stood back while Ali felt the wallpaper.

‘I love it, Adam! This is just what I would have chosen, very classy.’

From the living room, through the large expanse of patio doors, they viewed the apple tree at the far end of the generous-sized garden. Smaller than Maddy’s, but still, a similar arrangement.

‘Is this going to be our house?’ Jamie pushed his face up to the glass.

‘It could be,’ Max said. ‘Let’s go upstairs and you can pick your bedroom.’

‘Can I?’ Jamie asked Ali.

‘Of course you can,’ she said.

Upstairs, Jamie ran into all three bedrooms and chose the one at the front of the house.

‘Can we see the master bedroom?’ Ali asked, pulling on Max’s arm like an excited child.

They found the largest room at the back with an en-suite bathroom.

‘Do you like it then?’ Max asked, draping his arms around her and kissing her neck.

‘I love it. I mean, really, really.’

‘So do I, so do I.’ Jamie spun round and round until he staggered to a dizzy stop.

‘We can get you a new bed if you like,’ Max said.

‘Really?’ He looked at Ali who was smiling. ‘Can I have a bunk bed with a ladder?’

‘I don’t see why not.’ Max took Ali’s hand and kissed it.

‘Thank you, Daddy!’ Jamie ran over to Max and flung his arms around his legs. Ali’s mouth opened. Max’s eyes filled with tears. It was the first time he’d called him Daddy.

Max crouched down and Jamie threw his arms around his neck.

‘That’s it then, it’s ours. When do you want to move in?’ he said.

Chapter Forty-Seven