And she realized that becoming a family wasn’t something that happened overnight. It took baby steps, patience, understanding and a willingness to forgive when things went wrong.

“If you cling to her like that she will drown.” Izzy gently prized her sister’s fingers away from Flora’s arm. “You’re a deadweight. But Molly’s right. If you’re going to do something that scary, you should have people who love you close by. So we’ll stay right here and you can pretend you’re on your own if you like.”

Flora looked at the three of them and then at the water.

“You’re here now,” Molly said, “so you might as well do it. Kick hard and use your arms. I try to copy Chase.”

“Which is why you’re never going to win any style points,” Izzy murmured.

With all of them watching her she felt self-conscious. “I really don’t think—”

“Just do it,” Jack said. “Do it, honey.”

“I know, we’ll swim, too.” Molly plunged into the water with joyous abandon, showering everyone with water.

With a whoop, Izzy did the same thing.

“And now you’re trying to swim in churning water.” Jack looked exasperated but Flora didn’t mind. If she was doing this then she needed to do it, and not care if she was splashed. She could still put her feet down. Jack and Izzy were capable of helping her if she got into trouble. There really was no risk, apart from in her head.

She leaned forward and slowly lowered her body into the water, feeling it close over her chest and then her shoulders as she kicked forward. Panic loomed in the background, and then she was swimming. Really swimming. Her body felt weightless. Panic was replaced by euphoria as she moved through the water, everything else in her world temporarily forgotten. She’d never felt this close to nature, or to her fears. Fear fluttered in her belly but she ignored it and carried on moving her arms and legs in a steady rhythm, feeling herself grow stronger with each stroke.

She didn’t know how long she swam, but it was long enough for fear to turn to exhilaration. Long enough for her to trust her body not to let her down. Long enough to know that the past wasn’t going to drag her down like a stone. Long enough to know that her belief that she’d never swim again had been wrong.