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‘I did tell her,’ Sennen shouted to her brother from the kitchen as she set the table with knives, forks and tomato ketchup.

Rita screwed up her nose. ‘Have you two been drinking?’

Jago didn’t catch her eye. ‘Er. Yes. We just had a quick beer while we were waiting for the food.’

‘Did you now. Alright for some.’ She huffed, then let it go. Rita caught a glimpse of herself in the hall mirror and ran her hands through her hair. ‘Just look at the state of me. I’ll go up and change.’

Jago led her to a chair. ‘You told me the little darlings have gone down. We have fish and chips for five and a bottle of champagne. You look great to me, so unless you really do want to change, then relax for a second.’

‘Five?’ Rita questioned.

‘Shit, sorry, Thom,’ Sennen added. ‘I forgot to say Granny has been to a funeral and managed to bring home a doggy bag from the wake, so it’s just us four.’

After Jago and Thom had crept upstairs to peek at the sleeping babies, and with fish and chips on plates and fizz in glasses, Thom cleared his throat. He glanced at Sennen, who winked, as if to say, go on, you can tell them.

‘So, I’ve been made redundant.’

‘Oh, Thom.’ Rita’s heart sank for her son. She reached for the ketchup.

‘Mum, it’s all good. A blessing in disguise, to be honest.’ He paused.

Rita noticed the strained look on her son’s face. ‘Are you really OK, darling?’

Thom grimaced slightly. ‘Work’s been crazy. And… well, there are too many drugs flying around in my circle at the moment and well… I think it will be easier for me to be away from it for a while.’

Rita, never one for judgement, just nodded. ‘It used to be like that in the City when I worked there, before I met your father, that is. But what are you saying? Have you got a problem; do you need some help? You know you can tell us anything.’

Jago placed his hand supportively over Rita’s. Thom took a swig of champagne. ‘God, no. It’s not that bad. I’ve been partying hard at weekends, but it was getting too regular, you know.’ Rita took an inward breath. On one hand she was so grateful she had encouraged such candid talk with her children, but on the other hand, it was now another worry. Thom clocked her face. ‘Mum, it really is all good. I can live without it, but I need to be away from it, before I can’t be, if that makes sense. And well, with regards to needing help. I figured maybe you and Jago could use some.’ He smiled broadly.

‘I could definitely use some drugs to help me stay awake.’ Rita laughed, then realising in this instance it probably wasn’t funny at all, turned it into a cough.

Jago squeezed Rita’s hand. ‘We had a chat earlier. I’m more than happy for Thom to stay at Hawthorn Acre.’

‘Yeah, since the two new little Jenken-Jorys have now completely commandeered my room. It’s like a toy shop up there.’ Thom grinned. Rita’s face fell. ‘I’m joking, Mumsie.’

‘And what about money?’ Rita looked more to Jago.

‘It’s all fine, Mum, I’ve saved some and I’m getting a pay-off,’ Thom reassured. ‘I’ll work on both the farms for bed and board, if that’s OK, or happy to pay you… and to be honest the plan was to leave Bridgers & Forest one day soon, anyway. I’ve always dabbled in my own stocks and shares and the experience I gained there will help me continue advising others on the very same.’

Rita sighed. ‘Just be careful doing that, won’t you.’

Thom tutted. ‘Mum. I’m twenty-six years old! I know what I’m doing.’

Sennen laughed. ‘Yeah, Mum, we are grown-ups now.’

Rita shook her head.

Jago chipped in. ‘Don’t worry, darling, because as well as me being OK with this grown-up staying at Hawthorn Acre’ – he nodded towards Thom – ‘we’ve also discussed that Buttons can be his responsibility now too.’

At the mention of his name, Buttons let out a little yap from his bed in front of the Aga.

‘Good old Jago to the rescue again,’ Sennen added dryly, and Rita felt a pang at her tone. Why was Sennen sniping?

Jago looked forlorn. ‘I’m trying to do my best for all of you.’

Rita clocked her daughter’s sullen face. Maybe she needed to have a chat with her, one on one, if she could get her alone sometime. ‘Sounds like a lot of discussing has been going on behind my back, but that would really help, thank you, darling.’ She picked up a chip and dunked it in some ketchup. ‘So, when are you moving down, love?’

‘Like in a few days.’ Thom looked to gauge her reaction.