‘Dad, don’t forget we’re taking DJ out for dinner tomorrow after he gets his exam results. I want it to be a special day for you too. We’ll go early and stop for breakfast half way to Cambridge, is that all right?’ Gordon nodded. ‘There’s something else.’ Shelly sighed, then bit her lip and stared out to the magnificent oak. The yellow council wagon pulled up.

‘Come on, spit it out,’ Gordon said. ‘At worst I can say no.’

‘I’ll be so sad to see that tree go. It’s been there all my life.’

‘All mine too, but that branch might have killed somebody, might have killed a whole family . . . how would you feel then?’

She nodded. ‘I suppose you’re right. Listen, I’d very much like to spend Sunday with somebody special, but I know you’ve got a race the next day and want to be back. If I drive you to the station in London, and get you onto the Dover train, do you think you could get a taxi home?’

‘Let me think about it, all right? I’ll let you know later.’

*

DJ got a first in every exam, and when she heard, Shelly found her eyes fill with tears of pride. She was so excited to see him. She and Gordon had offered to take him out for dinner at a restaurant in the heart of Cambridge, and DJ had shyly asked if he could bring a friend with him.

DJ was already there when they arrived, sat beside a young woman. He appeared nervous. He took the girl’s hand and turned to Shelly. ‘Mum, this is my best friend, Lilly.’ He turned to the beautiful young woman. ‘Lilly, this is my mother, Shelly Summer.’

Shelly smiled.

‘I’ve heard so much about you, Ms Summer, it’s wonderful to meet you at last.’ Lilly blinked her baby-blue eyes that smiled from beneath pale lashes.

‘Call me Shelly, please. Well done both of you for finishing your first year of university’ She turned to DJ. ‘I couldn’t be more proud, and if your father was here, he would be shaking your hand and congratulating you too.’ Suddenly filled with affection for her boy, she felt comfortable sharing a personal memory with the girl he clearly adored. ‘DJ’s father. There was a tragic diving accident before DJ was even born.’

At that moment, Shelly realised a small miracle had taken place. For the first time in her life, she had spoken about David, the accident and her son, without so much as a tear or a tremor in her voice. All she felt was love, and pride, and hope for the future.