“Maybe. But we also know it’s important for us to have time together. We make that time. What I’m saying is that your relationship with Jack isn’t all about the children. You matter, too.” She could have said more, but she knew when to stop. She picked up the coffeepot. “I hope you have a good time while you’re here. If there’s anything I can do to make you feel more at home, let me know.” Todd had asked her to be friendly and it turned out not to be hard at all. What she hadn’t expected was that it might feel genuine. That she might in fact have found a friend in Flora.

Flora opened her mouth to speak, but at that moment the rest of the family piled into the room.

Aiden looked half-asleep, Todd was telling Jack about the barn conversion he was working on and Molly was playing with Chase who had managed to find mud in the garden despite the dry spell.

Chaos, Clare thought as she grabbed him by the collar and made Molly take him to the back door to wash his paws. The truth was that family life was a juggling act. She hoped Flora was ready for that.

Jack yawned and immediately took responsibility for Molly’s breakfast.

“There’s granola. You like granola, don’t you?” He paused, bowl in one hand and packet in the other and looked relieved when she nodded.

“But not too much milk.”

“Granola, go easy on the milk. Got it.” He put together Molly’s breakfast with the care of a surgeon doing a life and death operation, which Clare found both amusing and adorable.

Izzy was last to enter. Her hair was scraped back in a messy bun and she was wearing shorts and a strap top. She eyed the empty chair furthest away from Flora, and then with a resigned sigh chose the one next to her instead.

Clare wondered if she was the only person holding her breath.

“Berries, Izzy?” Flora pushed the bowl across the table. “They’re delicious.”

Clare’s admiration for her grew.

She joined in. “There’s homemade granola, fresh juice, bacon, mushroom and any type of eggs you like. If we’re having an active day, it’s important to eat.”

Izzy checked Molly’s bowl, nodded her approval and spooned granola into her own bowl. Then she added yogurt and berries. She picked up her spoon and put it down again.

She breathed deeply and then turned to Flora.

“I’m sorry I was rude. I shouldn’t have spoken to you the way I did.” Her voice was clear and steady, and Clare felt pride and pity in equal amounts. Pride that Izzy could do the right thing even when she was suffering, and pity because no child should have to go through what Izzy and Molly had gone through.