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‘You really are my very best helpers,’ Angela told Summer and Sarah, once again grateful that the lure of wild animals kept them turning up on a regular basis to volunteer. The fact that Evelyn — or in today’s case, Liv — often stayed for a quick coffee when they dropped the girls off was an added bonus. Especially when black and white boxes from the café featured in their catchups.

Liv smiled as she blew on her coffee to cool it, watching as Sarah carefully measured food into a bowl for one of the hedgehogs. She checked on the list Angela had given her, and moved onto the next bowl and hedgehog. ‘It’s amazing how grown-up she seems some days.’

‘She’s really good with the animals. I wouldn’t be surprised if she made a career out of it.’

‘You could well be right.’ Liv nodded. ‘Although her plan this week is to be a superstar chocolate maker who is also a ballerina.’

‘Well, I suppose she’ll have plenty of energy for dancing from all the chocolate.’

‘So, how are you doing?’

‘Better when I don’t think about it.’ She pulled a face. ‘How are the wedding plans coming?’

‘Mine and Cal’s? Or Evelyn’s and Jake’s?’

‘Both. Either. Mostly just wanting to change the subject. Have you gotten any closer to picking a date yet?’

‘To be honest, not really. We’re mostly just enjoying being together as a family and working out how we fit together. Keeping my cottage for that bit longer helped things, but even then it’s been a big adjustment. But it really is wonderful. And I swear every time she calls me “Mum” I melt a little bit more. It still hasn’t worn off, even when she’s whingeing and grizzly, and refusing to put her toys away, or demanding to wear a princess dress or fairy wings to school.’

‘I really am so happy for you.’

‘Angela?’ Summer ran over to them. ‘Please may I use your toilet?’

‘Of course.’

‘Thank you.’ They watched as she skipped into the house, pausing carefully to wipe her feet.

‘She’s brilliant, isn’t she?’ Liv asked. ‘My soon-to-be-niece.’

‘Yeah. They both are.’

‘Mum!’ Sarah shouted. ‘Do you want to come fatten up the hedgehogs?’

‘I swear, every time she calls me “Mum” it still gets me right here.’ Liv caught her breath and pressed her hand to her chest. ‘You coming?’

‘Of course. They’re my hedgehogs. Well, at least until they’re big enough to release in spring.’

She grabbed the heavy gloves needed to safely handle the hogs without risking their spikes. She worked alongside Sarah and Liv, who were utterly enchanted with the little critters, feeding, cleaning and checking them over. After the third cage, she realised Summer still hadn’t come back.

‘Do you think we should go check on her?’

‘No, I’m sure she’s fine.’ Liv opened the next cage. ‘Is this the one who got fly strike? How are they doing?’

‘She’s doing just fine.’ Angela smiled, relieved. Fly strike wasn’t as common in the winter months, and could often indicate more serious problems, but this little girl seemed to be thriving with warmth and plenty of good food.

‘What’s her name?’ Sarah wanted to know.

‘She doesn’t have one yet. Did you want to give her one?’

‘I think she looks like a “Cloud”. What do you think, Mum?’

‘I think she’s the spikiest cloud I’ve ever seen, but it’s a lovely name.’

‘I think I’m going to go check on Summer.’ Angela turned to head across the yard.

‘No!’ The urgency in Liv’s voice shocked her. ‘I mean, it’s fine. You stay here with the hogs and Sarah, and I’ll go see what’s keeping Summer. OK?’

‘Sure.’ Angela’s eyes followed her friend as she headed across the courtyard, wondering what that was all about.