‘She is. I’m glad they put her ex in prison. If I had my way, they’d never let him out again, because she’s going to be terrified once he’s released. He’s the sort who always has to get his own back if he thinks someone’s got the better of him.’

‘I’m just beginning to realise how complicated life can be with families. Mine’s been pretty straightforward so far, because there were only us three most of the time, though my parents divorced a few years ago and that made things a bit difficult. I didn’t realise it, but my mother was keeping me away from Dad as much as she could and telling me lies about him not wanting to see me.’

‘Difficult for you, torn between the two of them.’

‘You’ve said it. Well, that’s over and done with now so I’m trying to get over it.’

‘Mum said you’re doing well at school.’

Gemma shrugged. ‘I’ve left school now and my results will come through soon.’

‘How do you think you went?’

‘Pretty good. My main worry is what I’m going to do next year. Maybe take a gap year before I go to uni, because Mum was encouraging me to study business and it’s not a deep interest of mine.’

‘I envy you that freedom of choice.’

‘It’s Dad’s suggestion that I find something I really want to do. And I’d better stop babbling on about myself or I’ll bore you to tears. You’re easier to talk to than I’d expected.’

‘So are you.’

‘Big relief?’

‘Yeah.’

They grinned at one another.

Adam turned towards them at that moment and smiled. Janey’s anxiety ratcheted down still further. She hadn’t been mistaken: he did have a really lovely smile.

Gemma moved forward towards him, arms outstretched. ‘My turn to hold my niece. You’re not hogging all the cuddles, Dad.’ She turned to Hope. ‘You’ll have to show me how best to hold her.’

Hope nodded as if she understood that this was an attempt to give Janey and her father time together.

Adam moved to join Janey and asked in a low voice, ‘Is there anywhere we can go to talk more privately?’

In spite of getting on well with Gemma, she had been feeling as if they were doing this first meeting under a microscope and was relieved by his request. ‘We could sit in my study upstairs. It’s not as warm up there, though.’

‘I don’t mind the cold.’

‘Just going upstairs to show Adam my study, Mum,’ she called across the room.

Hope smiled and made a shooing gesture. Gemma was murmuring to Millie and as Janey watched, her sister planted a big kiss on the child’s fat, rosy cheek.

It suddenly occurred to her that if anything happened to her, Millie would no longer be alone in the world. Oh, the relief! She hadn’t realised the burden of that responsibility until now.

They didn’t speak as they went upstairs, but as soon as she had closed the door of the study, Adam said in a voice thickened by emotion, ‘I’ve been worrying all day about what to say to you, Janey. Could I start by giving you a hug, please? Would you mind? We have such a lot of time to make up for.’