‘Who’s a good boy?’

Arthur gurgled. Joan Wilberforce smiled. It was a long time since she had been able to play with a little one. 

‘Enjoying yourself?’

‘I am Linda. It’s nice, isn’t it? Being a family, like those three’.

Joan could see the sadness in Linda’s eyes. She thought about asking her boss – and friend – if she had any children but then thought better of it.

Jaycee and Abbey came into the dining area. Joan thought they seemed remarkably cheerful, given their home had just been written off.

‘As I said before, stay for as long as you like, you two – sorry, three. I have plenty of space – I have thought about doing up the bedrooms, converting that old music room in amongs...

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