I tear up too. The young woman in front of me has lost everything she knows in pursuit of the truth but I hope that gaining me was worth it. Nearly losing my life, twice, was worth everything to have her back.
‘Thank you for coming back for me.’
‘I never gave up and I’d do it all again.’ I hug my little sister.
The girls hurry over and Millie shyly grins. ‘Aunty Jess, can I see the baby?’
My sister nods and crouches down letting the girls have a peek at sleeping Katherine.
‘Girls, it’s Rachel.’
Rachel shakes her head. ‘It’s okay. They can call me Jess. Only them though because they’re my special little nieces.’ She beams a huge grin at them and I know they like her and they’ll soon love her like I do. I finally feel like my family is complete – except Dad. A person can’t have everything so I have to count my blessings.
EPILOGUE
KATE
June, the following year
Our home is decorated in banners and bunting and the food is laid out on the large kitchen table. I place the last plate of cakes down and throw open the bi-fold doors. No longer is the garden nothing but a stretch of patchy grass with a broken playhouse at the end, we have a new patio and furniture. I’m happy that we’re ready for our guests. My stomach flutters as I play with my mum bracelet. I’ve called Rachel a lot and I’m thrilled that she’s finally coming to stay with us. The girls can’t wait to play with little Katherine who’s now walking. I also can’t wait for her to meet baby Jesse, he has our nose, I’m sure of it.
Damien comes in holding the sleeping baby. ‘I just called Mum, the girls are having too much of a good time at the park so they’re going to be a little late.’
Yes, I now let the girls spend time with family and friends, and it feels wonderful.
A year ago, Damien’s mum wouldn’t have even had the girls on her own because of me, but now she takes them to the park a lot. They’ve been to her house to make cakes when I was working and they loved it. I’ve changed so much and Damien is much happier too. I don’t think he’ll ever totally forgive me for putting myself and unborn Jesse in so much danger, but he loves me and he knows why I had to do it. For once, I feel as though we are stronger than ever. There is one lie that I need to clear up. Now might not be the best time but it’s the right time for me. ‘Damien?’
‘What?’ He smiles.
‘There’s something I need to tell you.’
He frowns and swallows. ‘What have you been up to now?’
‘Nothing, I promise. You know last year, before Looe?’
He nods.
‘I didn’t save a baby. I jumped into the pool and saved a perfectly safe baby because I misread the whole situation and my boss gave me a warning.’
He held his breath. ‘And that’s it?’
I nod. ‘That’s it.’
‘Come here.’ He pulls me close and kisses me on the forehead. Jesse begins to stir.
There is a knock at the door. I brush the icing dust off my summer dress and hurry to open it. ‘Nadine.’ I hug her. We’ve become best friends over the past few months and I don’t know what I would have done without her being my sounding board through all this. She’s comforted me while I’ve cried, she’s picked me up with afternoon teas and pub lunches. When my maternity leave is up, I can’t wait to go back to work and spend my lunch breaks eating cake and joking around with her.
‘I brought you wine. If anyone needs a glass, you do, my lovely.’
‘And I can drink it.’ I laugh, pointing at my little post-baby paunch. I rarely drink but today I will enjoy a glass with my family and friends while we celebrate Jesse’s safe arrival.
A host of others turn up. Damien’s work colleagues, some of mine, our friends from past and present. Damien’s extended family and their families. The garden is filling up and I’m thrilled that the sun is shining. Nadine laughs like a machine gun as she flirts with Damien’s right hand colleague, Danny. It’s a joy to watch.
The girls hurry through the door with Damien’s mum and they instantly drag her to the garden to join in with the fun. It was kind of her to take them out while Damien and I set everything up. Little Jesse can be a handful but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m getting seriously nervous now. There’s been no sign of Rachel, Natalie and Laura. They said they were coming and they haven’t sent me a message saying they’ll be late. I check the time. It’s only twenty minutes. They’re not coming. It’s all too much for them.
I also check the message I sent to my dad. When we got back from Looe, I found a broken man, drunk on both vodka and self-pity. I know he’s working hard to stay sober again but something inside tells me he’s slipped. He hasn’t called me with a progress update and I haven’t been able to help him as much after just having Jesse. He’s never met his long-lost daughter in person and I’m upset he didn’t reply to my invite.
