All of these life changes hadn’t been without their adjustment periods, but so far Tully had managed to get through it without stealing anything. It was imperative, her lawyer told her, that no further charges were laid against her before her court date. She still saw Dr Shearer once a week – also important when it came to her court date. Sonny and her lawyer seemed to think that she had a good chance of getting off with a fine and perhaps some community service. But it was essential that she didn’t steal again. Which was all well and good, but it was proving to be a daily battle, one she had to fight each time she went to the supermarket or the newsagents and now, with the wedding coming up, Tully felt stretched and weary. Every day, she feared, would be the day she would snap.

‘I don’t like this sausage roll,’ Locky said, holding out a half-chewed canapé.

‘Oh,’ Tully said. ‘Well, there’s a rubbish bin over –’

‘Here,’ he said, depositing it in her hand and running away.

It had been Dad’s idea, of course, that they should bring the boys tonight. They were family. Quite frankly, Tully would have preferred to enjoy her champagne in peace while the boys were at home with a babysitter, but that didn’t appear to be an option. Across the room she watched Locky give Rachel a high five before disappearing under a tablecloth.

Rachel had been quiet this evening. Tully was worried about her. Even with her gorgeous new man on her arm, she still seemed . . . off. It was something to do with the way she looked at Dad. Since her meeting with Fiona Arthur, she’d become obsessed with the idea that Dad was an abuser. Tully herself had got caught up in it for a while, but as the weeks went by, it felt less and less feasible, especially tonight. Currently Dad was chatting to Sonny, with Miles sitting high on his shoulders, his hands covering both of Dad’s eyes. Dad was in his element here, surrounded by his family. Tully wondered now how she could ever have thought him capable of hurting anyone. She chalked it up to grief. It was amazing the things grief could do.

Miles released his hands from Dad’s eyes, and he made eye contact with Tully. He lifted Miles off his shoulders, handed him to Sonny and then made his way towards her.

‘Hello, sweetie,’ he said. He took a seat at the table beside her. ‘How are you doing?’

‘Fine,’ she said. ‘It’s a lovely night.’

‘It sure is. And it will be a great day tomorrow. For the whole family.’ Dad smiled, but his eyes were cautious. ‘Speaking of family, I’ve been thinking . . . maybe we should bring Mum to the wedding tomorrow.’

‘My mum?’

He chuckled. ‘Well, my mum probably won’t be able to make it.’

A group of people walked past and Dad shook a few hands and patted a few backs. Then he returned his attention to Tully.