‘So what is it?’ she says, looking at me. ‘Are you getting divorced?’

‘What? No, Amber… why would you think we were getting divorced?’ I look from her to Tom and a little part of me wonders if I’ve just been given a portal into the future.

‘What is it then?’

My hands lie intertwined on the table as if in prayer. Tom looks nervous.

‘Amber, there is something I have to tell you.’

When Amber realizes that I’m not the messenger, she shuffles in closer to the table, a serious look dropping over her face as she turns her attention to Tom.

‘Amber.’ Cough, splutter, finally eye contact. ‘A short while ago, I discovered I have a son…’ Pause… Silence… Action. ‘He’s sixteen, just a year older than you and his name is Kenny.’ Tom’s eyes are fixed on Amber’s. She swings herself around in the chair to face him. Finally, we have news big enough to hold our daughter’s complete attention.

My fingers are pressing so hard into my hands I think I’ll be bruised by the end of this. What will she do? What will she say?

‘The thing is, Amber, Kenny’s mom has died and he has no other family.’

Amber remains silent, her eyes still glued to her Daddy’s, hanging on to his every word.

‘I’m sure you have a lot of questions, pet. You will want to think about it, then ask me whatever you want. I will tell you anything you want to know.’

‘When can I meet him?’ she says forcing me to fall backwards into my chair. What are you saying, Amber? I’d better say something quick.

‘Amber, sweetie, this is all new to us, we haven’t decided what we’re going to do about it yet. We’re telling you now because we didn’t want you finding out from someone else.’

Turning around to face me she sits up straight. ‘But he’s my brother, I have to meet him.’

‘And you will, Amber, you will meet him but there’s a lot going on at the moment and we have to do what’s best for the family.’

Moving her attention back to Tom, she says, ‘Have you met him?’ Tom nods a yes. ‘What’s he like?’

‘He’s…’ I interrupt Tom, this is not going how I expected it to. Where’s your tantrum, Amber, why don’t you shout at him, ask him why he lied, was he dating me when he got the kid’s mother pregnant? No, nothing. No criticism whatsoever. I can’t believe this Amber is only interested in knowing when she can meet her half-brother.

‘Amber, that’s all we have to tell you for the moment. Go and meet Sarah now and we will have another chat later on.’

‘But…’

‘But nothing, Amber, your father and I need to talk.’