I watched as they both jumped up and skipped over to the window with Lilly crawling after them, gurgling nonsense. I have to admit, it warmed my heart. I’d often thought about the fact that Lumin wouldn’t have any cousins; no siblings either, as I couldn’t see myself ever having more children. That had always been a worry for me, that she’d feel lonely. Maybe in the back of my mind I’d wondered if she might meet the McCluskys one day. But it hadn’t really been a realistic possibility until now. So it was good to see her with her cousins. I was pleased she wouldn’t miss out on the richness of an extended family.

‘Hello you,’ Rhonda said, giving me a kiss on both cheeks. She looked exhausted, understandable really considering she had two children now. I looked into her eyes, pushing down the questions that had built up since the day I overhead Cole and Dylan talking at Asher’s house. Now wasn’t the time.

I looked back over at Lumin as I thought of the dark secret the two brothers had discussed. I hope I hadn’t made a mistake bringing her here.

‘Where’s Dad?’ Dylan asked.

Dylan and Cole exchanged a look.

‘Just in the loo,’ Mairi said. ‘Did Lumin like your cakes?’

‘She tried a bite of each,’ he said, gesturing towards the plate of cakes, each one with one bite taken out of it.

‘And wolfed down all three of the chocolate ones,’ I added.

They all laughed and I made myself laugh with them. But it felt so odd. I’d kept Lumin a secret from them. Maybe it didn’t matter to them. Maybe they were so good and kind, they easily forgave.

There was a shuffling sound then Oscar walked in. I had to stop myself double-taking. He was a shadow of his former self, thin and holding a walking stick as he limped. One side of his face was drawn downwards.

‘Let’s see the girl then,’ he slurred. He shuffled past me, giving me a quick squeeze of the arm and a smile, and walked to the Christmas tree. Lumin and Alfie stopped playing, both staring up at Oscar.

‘That’s our grandad,’ Alfie said. ‘His heart is bad.’

‘Alfie!’ Rhonda exclaimed.

‘It’s fine, it’s fine,’ Oscar said. He lowered himself to a nearby armchair and gestured for Lumin to come over. She looked at me again, needing my permission. I nodded so she walked over to Oscar. He took her hand, smiling as he explored her face. ‘Beautiful,’ he said. ‘You have the best of your father and the best of your mother. Hopefully none of the bad, hey?’ he added.

Lumin turned round and gave me an uncertain look.

‘Very good,’ Oscar said, nodding. ‘You’re one of us now.’