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‘Sarah, will you please calm down and be careful?’ Callum shouted after his daughter as she raced through the garden at top speed with Summer, leaving a trail of bubbles that Tilly was trying to snap out of the air. ‘At least stay away from the barbeque. I’ve only just lit it, but it’s still hot. The last thing I want to be doing today is taking anyone to A&E!’

Sarah ignored him, zooming past the wishing well and coming dangerously close to the hot coals again.

‘Young lady, if I have to tell you one more time you’ll . . . you’ll go to bed early without any dessert.’

‘But Summer and Tilly are here!’ Sarah’s bottom lip stuck out with that wobble that so often warned of a stubborn tantrum. ‘You’re so unfair!’

‘Sarah, will you please take your bubble game down to the bottom of the garden? It’s a lot safer for Tilly down there.’ Liv brought a plate of bread rolls and bowl of salad from the kitchen, and smiled as the trio raced off to do exactly as she’d asked.

Callum gaped. ‘Why is it she does what you ask, but not me?’

‘Novelty value.’ Liv laughed. ‘I’m sure when she has to put up with me twenty-four seven, she’ll ignore me as much as she does you.’

‘I don’t believe that for a second.’ Callum slipped an arm around his fiancée’s waist, and pulled her in for a kiss. He still couldn’t believe that Liv had said yes. It hadn’t even been a full week since he’d asked her, since she’d agreed to marry him, but already Sarah was paying more attention to her than she did her own father. He couldn’t really be more thrilled. ‘She adores you.’

‘I know. I love her too.’ He watched as Liv’s eyes tracked Sarah’s pink, glittery dance across the garden.

‘You know, you could just move in with us straight away.’ He let his fingers trace a line down the back of her neck, enjoying her shiver. ‘I’m not doing anything tomorrow.’

‘You’re incorrigible, Dr Macpearson.’ She folded her arms across her chest. ‘We talked about this. You agreed, remember? That’s why I extended the lease here for a couple of months. So we can take our time and let Sarah adjust gradually. Besides, I’m still not sure I want to move into your bachelor pad.’

‘It’s hardly a bachelor pad. Not with the amount of pink and purple glitter madam spreads everywhere.’

‘You know what I mean.’

She leaned against him comfortably, and Callum marvelled again at just how easily and well she fitted. Against him, in his life, in Sarah’s world.

‘I just think I might like a few more feminine touches.’

‘And I need you to feel at home. Hell, you and Sarah can redecorate the whole house from top to bottom if you want. Just maybe leave me one small corner that isn’t completely pink.’

‘Well, thank you,’ Liv laughed ‘But I was thinking something a bit smaller. Maybe a few throw pillows. Matching towels. Things like that. And we’ll need more furniture, especially in your bedroom.’

‘King sized bed?’ He grinned.

‘Cheeky.’ She tweaked his nose. ‘I was thinking more like drawers for my clothes, another wardrobe. Your home is lovely, Callum, and I can’t wait for it to be my home too. But it’s been yours and Sarah’s home for years. Only yours and Sarah’s. You need to make space for me, and that can’t be rushed. We have to do things right by Sarah.’

‘I know, and you’re right. It’s just frustrating. I want everything to happen right now. Or tomorrow?’

‘By the time tomorrow gets here, I’m betting we have two overtired little girls on our hands, and anything more energetic than watching princess movies will be beyond us all.’

‘You think it’s going to be that bad tonight?’ Callum shuddered.

‘I don’t think anyone is getting a full night’s sleep, if that’s what you’re asking. Did you see the snack bag your brother sent with Summer? I’m pretty sure it’s ninety per cent sugar.’ She rolled her eyes.

‘I think he’s getting his own back,’ he complained. ‘I wasn’t expecting the dog too.’

‘Well, Jake and Evelyn hosted plenty of sleepovers for Sarah. It seems only fair. And Tilly’s well-behaved.’ She winced as the “well-behaved” dog knocked over her bird bath. ‘Mostly. I’m sure Angela’s little Sparks won’t be any trouble.’

‘You’re too sweet.’ He placed a kiss on her cheek. ‘What time are you expecting Cathy?’

Liv checked the time on her phone. ‘Any time now.’ She accepted the drink Callum offered her, and sat on the edge of Sarah’s fairy well. Even though she knew it wasn’t a bench any more, it was still one of her favourite places to sit in the garden. She would miss it when she moved. But, as she watched her soon-to-officially-be daughter play and dance in the sunshine with her best friend, she knew she’d be gaining far more than she was giving up. She was getting a dream come true.

She sighed happily, and leaned her head against Callum’s shoulder.

‘Are you all right?’

‘Yeah, just thinking how lucky I am.’