Page 93 of The Stolen Child

Kimberly pointed to another package. ‘Will you open that one next?’

Zach ripped the bright paper off, and groaned when he saw what was inside. ‘My Peter Rabbit.’

‘I thought it was time it went back to its rightful owner,’ Kimberly whispered.

‘You kept it all this time,’ Zach said, shaking his head.

‘I knew you’d come back for it one day,’ Kimberly replied. Then, wiping tears from her eyes, she pointed to the box. ‘Go on. Keep opening!’

Twenty minutes later, there was a pile of wrapping paper on the floor beside an even more enormous pile of gifts – shirts, an Ireland rugby jersey, cufflinks, an Ed Sheeran CD, aftershave, and a framed family photograph taken at Ben’s christening, amongst the favourites for Zach.

Kimberly never took her eyes off Zach as he opened each gift. She revelled in his joy at each item.

‘I’d like to take you to your first Irish rugby match. You can wear that jersey,’ Jason said. ‘Ben and Michael can come too. It will be a boy’s day out!’

Zach stood up and pulled the jersey over his white tee shirt. It fitted perfectly as he declared, ‘I’m ready! Come on, Ireland!’

Kimberly caught Lily’s eye and saw her daughter fight back emotion. Lily had always been an open book, wearing her heart on her sleeve.

‘You okay?’ Kimberly asked quietly, reaching out to touch Lily’s arm.

Lily smiled through her tears. ‘It’s hearing Dad talking about doing something fun with his family, with his grandson . . . I didn’t think I’d ever hear that.’

And Kimberly felt a sharp pain between her temples as she reflected on that sad statement. Another of her damn migraines threatened to scupper the day. But she would not allow it. Kimberly excused herself and walked into the bathroom to grab some painkillers, swallowing them dry. She looked up into the large round mirror and took in her appearance.

Kimberly had spent as much effort and time cultivating her own look over the years as she had with her decor at home. She chose her make-up, jewellery and clothes carefully.

To her, elegance was simplicity and effectiveness.

But, to her surprise, her eyes blurred, and for a moment she disappeared. A young orphan girl, scared and alone, stared back at her.

A tap on the bathroom door brought her image back to sharp focus.

‘You’ve been in there a while. Do you need anything, Mum?’ Lily asked, her eyes round with concern when Kimberly opened the door.

‘No thank you, Lily. It’s all a little overwhelming, isn’t it? But know that I’m happy,’ Kimberly replied. Then, impulsively, she pulled her daughter into her arms and held her. She felt Lily stiffen at first, but Kimberly didn’t let go until she relaxed into her embrace.

Kimberly wasn’t so stupid that she hadn’t realised how difficult Lily had it at times. She’d spent her childhood in the middle of her parents, trying hard to broker peace or add joy when things got overwrought.

‘You are a good daughter, and I’m sorry for all I’ve put you through,’ Kimberly whispered. ‘All I wanted was to be a good mother to you, but I know I have let you down. When things were difficult for me, I let that pain get in the way of you and me.’

Lily pulled back and looked at her mother in surprise.

‘You had it worse than any of us, I think,’ Kimberly added. ‘And we often forget that. Can you forgive me?’

Lily nodded, her lips quivering as she desperately tried to fight back tears. ‘I love you, Mum.’

‘And I love you,’ Kimberly replied. ‘I hope you remember that, no matter what happens tomorrow. Everything I’ve done has been for our family.’

Lily nodded silently.

Kimberly watched her daughter trying to process her words. And Lily, with her kind-hearted nature, was already forgiving her mother for the many transgressions she’d endured.

‘I truly am sorry for all the mistakes I’ve made . . .’

‘We’ve all made mistakes, Mum,’ Lily said, interrupting her. ‘I want you to stop being so hard on yourself. We’ve been given a chance to start over, as a family, back together again. You said earlier that you wanted this to be a happy day. And it has been. One of my happiest, truly.’ Lily wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, as she used to do as a child. Kimberly grabbed a tissue from the bathroom, and dabbed her daughter’s cheeks lightly.

‘How did I get to be so lucky to have you?’ Kimberly whispered. Then she kissed Lily’s cheek one more time, before saying jokily, ‘We’d better return to Jason and Robert before they plan a boy’s only trip to New Zealand to see the rugby without us!’