‘Auntie Lily!’ Ruby’s little legs carried her along until she ran into my arms and I crouched down and swept her up. ‘I didn’t know you were coming today! I miss you!’ She gave me a big kiss on the cheek and I willed myself not to cry. It had taken me over two hours to try to replicate Jemima’s beautiful make-up from before, trying to remember the tips she’d given me as she’d done it, explaining every stage. Thankfully the mascara was waterproof as I cuddled Ruby’s little body to me and she hooked her legs around my waist as we walked on towards the rest of my family.

Freddy, seeing me, ran out to join us and I bent down to give him a kiss, which he then shyly turned away from, seeing a couple of boys from school. Still, he searched for my spare hand with his and held tightly as we headed through the lychgate and into the grounds of the church.

‘You look beautiful,’ Poppy said, kissing my cheek as we exchanged a look that said so much more than words.

‘Thank you. So do you. I love the hat!’

I turned to my brother. ‘Hi.’

Felix wrapped me in the most enormous hug, encompassing his daughter within it as her little arms clung around my neck. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered.

‘Nothing to be sorry for. It’s me who should apologise for so much.’

He shushed me and kissed my temple.

We separated and Poppy tactfully took Ruby off me and led her and Freddy to a little bench where she took a couple of treats out of her bag to distract them for a moment or two, leaving Felix and me alone.

‘I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I’m sorry. I wanted to apologise before now, but Poppy thought it might be wise to give us both some time to calm down properly.’

‘That wisdom is another reason why I have the best sister-in-law and you have the best wife.’

‘I think you’re right.’

There was silence between us for a moment, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. We walked until we were far enough away from others not to be overheard. ‘I never meant to hurt anyone, least of all you.’

‘I know you didn’t,’ said Felix. ‘You were dealing with something awful in the best way you could. I shouldn’t have exploded like I did the other day.’

‘Maybe you should have. I’ve had a lot of time to think over the past couple of months and the other day just confirmed some extra things for certain. I’ve missed out on so much and I don’t want to miss out on anything else.’

Being in a public place my brother kept his face stoic, but the tight hug he wrapped me in said everything it needed to. We both glanced over to where their children and Poppy were and, through that silent communication that husband and wife often have, Poppy allowed the children to hare back over to us as she followed at a more sedate pace. Ruby retook her position on my hip as Freddy leant against his dad’s leg.