‘Thanks,’ the woman said gratefully, looking tired as she jiggled the wailing baby. She had a faint aroma of baby vomit about her. Sophie had smiled kindly at her, cooed briefly at the baby, and then moved on. Pemberton Road was housing the next generation of families now, making new memories for new people. Their babies would grow up, go to the local school that Tom and Katie had gone to. They would play on the same swings in the park. The parents would drink coffee in the same café. It was a constant cycle, forever changing, forever evolving.

Katie bounded ahead of her now, eager to get inside and Sophie marvelled at the speed at which young people could shake off hangovers. She was still feeling a little peaky after the late night, but she was determined to rally for the next stage of the celebrations. She followed her daughter up the steps and watched as the door opened and Freddy appeared.

‘You made good time,’ he said, giving Katie a kiss and stepping back to let her in. He hugged Sophie as she walked past. ‘Can I get you a drink, Mrs B?’

‘Cup of tea?’ Sophie suggested.

‘I don’t bloody well think so,’ came a voice from the living room. ‘Champagne, Freddy.’

Sophie rolled her eyes and made her way into the living room. Angie was lying on the sofa, wrapped under a blanket. She sat up when she saw Sophie.

‘Blimey, Angie, you could have made a bit of an effort,’ she said, leaning down to kiss her.

‘Oh bugger off,’ Angie replied.

‘How are you feeling?’

‘Not too bad considering. Plus I’m up to date on Neighbours and Doctors now which is a bonus.’

‘Bit lazy of you, Ange, to spend all day watching TV.’

‘Very droll.’

Angie had been living with cancer for three years. She had outlived her doctor’s prognosis and continued to find the strength from somewhere within to keep going. Apparently, she was a medical miracle which, knowing Angie as she did, did not surprise Sophie in the slightest.

But the cancer was just as determined, and after a much-needed respite, she was back on chemo again. When it had become clear that she wouldn’t be well enough to go to the graduation ceremony, they had decided to bring the party to her instead. In the kitchen she could hear Freddy bickering good-naturedly with Indie as they got the champagne out of the fridge and gathered glasses to bring into the living room.

‘Should you be drinking?’ she asked Angie.

‘Well, it’s hardly the thing that’s going to kill me now, is it?’

‘Fair point. Where’s Jack?’

‘He had to pop home first and check in with What’s-her-face. He’s on his way round.’

As she heard the kids still chatting away in the kitchen, Sophie sat down on the floor next to Angie and took her hand. ‘Are you really okay?’

‘I am,’ Angie said. ‘Really, I am. I was disappointed that I couldn’t make the graduation, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, but at least I’m here. I don’t take that for granted.’