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‘It’s randchild and love my son Don’t assume that they won’t need you, because they will They will And on’t give up on you We’re your family now’

Ruby stared at her How did she kno did this woest fear in the world was that they would give up on her because they’d realise, like everyone else did, that there was so unlovable about her? How could Coral open her mouth and say aloud the words that she, Ruby, couldn’t even bear to think?

What was she going to do if it all fell apart?

In ten short days she’d gone fro terrified that she would be left alone to look after a baby to feeling terrified that Matteo would realise he could do it all without her

All her life she’d been so sure that she could tough it out alone, but thehad felt sure any more She’d thrown caution to the wind and slept with hi married Her rules and boundaries were looser than the curtains wafting in the breeze

‘I know,’ Coral said, sipping her tea but never taking her eyes froer with Arturo—we ht now But Matteo is very fond of you I’ve no doubt about that And what you’re going to do today shows me that you are very fond of him too’

Ruby stared at Coral, desperately keen to tell her just how much he meant to herhow he made her feel alivehow he understood her like no one had ever taken the trouble to do before How he’dand sure and confident about raising a child

‘He’ll be a great dad,’ she said ‘He’ll do everything for the baby’

‘Exactly,’ said Coral, s ‘That’s exactly what I think too’

They sipped their tea in silence for another ain

‘Faoing to be brought up in a loving fa to be part of that loving family’

Then she lifted the cup and saucer, lifted the tray, put it down carefully on the floor and enveloped her in the fir thaw in the deepest, coldest corner of her heart She squeezed her back, sealing a heartfelt pro that another little sliver of rainbow had spread its colour in her life