Janey’s mother picked up the child and that immediately put a loving smile on her face instead of the nervous look that sat there so often and seemed to take all the character from her.

‘Adam, this is your granddaughter, Millie. Our granddaughter, I mean.’

He flashed a quick smile at Janey and moved towards the child, speaking in a soothing tone and holding out a little soft toy.

As Millie smiled at him and took the toy, Janey turned to study her sister and found herself being given a thorough scrutiny at the same time. Naturally. Who wouldn’t be curious about an unexpected sibling?

Gemma spoke first. ‘Amazing, isn’t it, to have a sister you’ve never met?’

Janey relaxed a little because that wasn’t a hostile tone. ‘I’ve been wondering if we look at all alike. See?’ She pointed as she turned to study their reflections in the mirror over the fireplace. ‘What do you think?’

‘I think we look quite a bit alike, but you’re taller than me.’ Gemma looked across at her father, who was tickling his granddaughter and making her chuckle. ‘Can I hold Millie when those two have finished cooing over her?’

‘Of course. She’s a very friendly child. Oh!’

Adam was holding his hands out to Millie, inviting her to come to him. The little girl stared at him from the safety of her grandmother’s arms, right thumb in her mouth, then suddenly she pulled out her thumb and dropped the toy, holding out both arms to Adam, waggling them impatiently. He took her gently from Hope.

It wasn’t like Millie to go so quickly to a complete stranger. That was a good sign, surely, Janey thought.

‘She’s lovely,’ Gemma whispered. ‘I want lots of kids one day.’ She turned to see her sister struggling not to cry. ‘What’s the matter? What have I said?’

‘I’ve been worrying about tonight and how your – I mean our – father would react to an unmarried mother and her child. But look at him beaming at her and see how Millie’s taken to him.’ She swiped at her eyes. ‘I’m being stupid.’

‘That’s not a crime.’ Gemma put an arm round her and gave her a quick hug. ‘Dad’s all right. He gets on with everyone – well, he does with people who’re nice, not ratbags, so you don’t need to worry about him scorning you. I’ll take Millie off him in a minute, then you can have a word with him on your own. Though goodness knows what you’ll both say. This must be so awkward. How long have you known about Dad?’

‘I found out last year that my mother’s ex wasn’t my real father. And thank goodness for that!’

‘He sounds horrible.’

‘He is. Mum told me my real father had gone to live in Australia, so I wasn’t expecting to meet him. And then he contacted my mother.’

‘If you don’t mind me saying so, your mother looks very worn and weary.’