“I’ll get the books.” Karen walked over to the library tub and grabbed some books before taking them outside.

A sharp spasm of pain caught Jess and she fisted the sheet.

“Are you okay?” Worry filled Alice’s voice. “Do you want me to get Libby?”

Jess shook her head as the pain faded and she released her grip on the sheet. “I want to thank you for loving Leo.”

“There’s nothing to thank. He’s easy to love.”

“So easy. It cuts me that you can’t have one of your own.”

Gratitude crossed Alice’s face. “Thank you for thinking of me when you’re dealing with …”

Jess laughed—it was that or cry. “I’m late to the empathy party, but at least I got here.”

“I’m devastated you won’t see Leo grow up.”

“About that …” Jess took a moment to ride the wave of despair rolling through her. Now wasn’t the moment to give in to tears—this was too important to say. “Libby’s a brilliant mother, but sometimes she gets tunnel vision on the practical stuff, whereas you—Well, every kid needs an Alice fairy queen, pirate king or a penguin princess in their lives. Promise me you’ll steal him away sometimes and surround him in paint and glue and glorious nonsense?”

Alice was silent and then her face contorted and she was gulping in air and crying hot, messy tears. Eventually she blew her nose and stared at Jess through panda eyes, black from run mascara.

“Is that a yes?”

“Of course it’s a yes. A great big yes. I’m on the lookout to rent a place with a shed where mess is no object.”

“Alice!” Indi wrenched open the door and stood on the threshold with her hands on her hips. “Come and twirl.”

“Go,” Jess said, feeling Alice’s hesitation. “You know she’s as obstinate as you are. She’ll only badger until you give in.”

“Do you want me to send Libby in?”

“No hurry. I might catch a quick nap.”

Jess’s eyes fluttered closed. The birthday party was everything she’d hoped for, and tomorrow Libby and Nick were putting up the Christmas decorations. She planned to watch Leo while it happened, soaking in his delight. She’d even string some popcorn. Lucy had seen it on an American television show and had begged Libby for a live tree and popcorn garlands.

She heard the heavy tread of familiar footsteps and opened her eyes. Nick was crossing the room with a trash bag in his hand. “Where’s Leo?”

“On Libby’s lap listening to Alice doing all the voices and actions for Wombat Divine.”