Page 122 of The Stolen Child

Kimberly felt everyone’s eyes on her. She almost crumpled in front of them all, but then she remembered who she was, so she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She’d been through worse storms than this. And she had not only survived, she’d thrived.

She walked over to the sofa and leaned down to kiss Ben gently on his forehead. Then, picking up her handbag, she walked out of the room.

ONE YEAR LATER

July 2024

Zach

Lake Champlain, New York

Jason and Dom wore matching black aprons and chef’s hats. They stood by the barbecue, their laughter mingling with the sizzling and spitting of steaks. They had formed an instant bond when they’d met the previous week. Zach’s three sisters, Jenny, Ally and Issy, lay side by side on sun loungers, their giggles filling the air as they caught up on gossip. Jenny and Ally’s children played tag with Ben, who joyfully toddled around. They were captivated by their new Irish cousin, their laughter echoing through the backyard.

Zach’s mom and Michael, their wine glasses glinting in the sunlight, stood at the lake’s edge, voices intermingling with the children’s laughter. Then Lily emerged from the house, a small infant nestled in a sling against her chest. She walked up to Zach, and he gazed down at his new niece, her tiny features a perfect reflection of innocence. Only two months old, but already a source of boundless love. Her rosebud lips pouted as she slept, a picture of serenity against her mother’s warm embrace.

‘I still can’t believe this, you know,’ Zach said, his voice filled with a mix of wonder and gratitude. ‘When I walked into your office a year ago, I could never have dreamed any of this.’

‘Me neither,’ Lily replied. ‘The year was full of surprises . . .’ She nodded towards her little girl.

‘The best one of all,’ Zach said, his voice filled with emotion, leaning down to kiss the baby’s soft head. ‘I feel like –’ he paused, a lump forming in his throat – ‘that with Lexi here, it’s a chance to get things right. You and I didn’t get to grow up together, and I didn’t get to be your big brother, but Ben can do that for Lexi.’ He stopped, his heart swelling with love and longing.

Lily nodded and he was glad she understood his sentiment. ‘I thought something similar too. And you know what else, Zach? While we didn’t grow up together as kids, we’re making up for it now.’

This was one of the things that made him happier than anything else. His relationship with Lily, Michael, Ben and Jason grew stronger daily. And, no matter what the DNA said, he felt like Lily’s older brother.

They’d banked many happy memories over the past year, but one of his favourites was going to an Ireland rugby match with Jason, Michael and Ben, who looked so cute, wearing a pair of ear muffs. Zach knew that technically he wasn’t Irish, but he felt a connection to Ireland in the same way he had always felt one to Spain. Both were early homes for him and markers for who he was and who he’d become.

‘Michael and I have been planning Lexi’s christening,’ Lily said. ‘We’ve set the date for the first of September.’

‘Oh, that’s nice,’ Zach replied.

‘We wondered if you would do us the honour of being Lexi’s godfather?’ Lily asked, looking up at him from under her lashes.

Happiness burst out of Zach in a delighted laugh. ‘I’d love to. I’d be honoured. Jeez, thanks, Lily. Means a lot to me.’

‘It means a lot to me too,’ Lily replied. She leaned her head on Zach’s shoulder, and they stood side by side, watching the sun begin to set over the blue waters of Lake Champlain.

‘Do you think she’s okay with you all here?’ Zach asked.

There was no need to elaborate on who she was. Kimberly remained the elephant in every room they were in.

Lily sighed. ‘Mum will be fine, doing what she does best – working. When I saw her last week, she had received the deeds for a new property she plans to convert to flats. She never stops.’

Zach whistled softly. ‘She’s a powerhouse.’

‘I think it’s more than that. I don’t think she can stop,’ Lily said in a low voice. ‘Work helps her quieten the nagging voice of truth. When she’s at work, she can keep pretending she’s living her perfectly curated life.’

‘Has your dad spoken to her yet?’

Lily shook her head. ‘Nope. He’s not said a word to her since that day at my house, when all our dirty washing came tumbling out.’

‘I thought they might get back together, you know,’ Zach said, nodding towards Jason, who was popping the caps on two beers. ‘He was so gentle with her after she told us about Bertie and her mother.’

‘Their relationship has always been complicated. They never could get over the trauma of losing the future they’d hoped and dreamed of for their family.’ She sighed, then added softly, ‘Lost in the blink of an eye, not once, but twice.’

‘I sometimes think I’ve dreamt all of this. It feels too incredible that Kimberly ever did that to my mom. And to your dad.’ Zach replied.

‘I think I could forgive her for taking you. Especially knowing about Bertie. But I’ll never forgive her for not telling dad. And me. Betrayal and guilt found its way into our family decades ago, courtesy of Mum.’