Ashley woke as the sun burned through the cotton curtains of her room. Prising her eyes open she took a moment to wake properly before a slow smile crept across her face. On the other bed beside her Molly still slept, exhausted from the party that hadn’t broken up until the early hours. Ashley couldn’t recall now exactly what time, but she could remember wondering how on earth the hundred-year-old Violette Dupont was managing to stay awake.

Haydon had been there, by her side, and hardly a moment passed when he wasn’t touching her or reaching for her hand or sneaking a surreptitious kiss. When they’d made love on the beach it was like they’d both opened the gates to their hearts. From now there would be no secrets, no doubt, only a growing conviction that they were meant to be. They’d walked back up to Villa Marguerite hand in hand in silence, but they didn’t need words. At the house nobody asked them where they’d been or why they’d taken so long to come back but there’d been plenty of knowing smiles. Even Molly and Ella knew better than to ask. It had been simultaneously the worst and the best night of Ashley’s life and this morning as she woke she could barely believe any of it had actually happened.

Her phone bleeped a message and she rolled over to retrieve it from the bedside cabinet. It was from Haydon, and yes, it meant that the previous night had definitely happened.

Ashley had been so happy when they returned to the house the previous night that she’d tried to forget the next day would see them parted as they returned to their own distant parts of England. It didn’t seem fair that they’d only just found each other to lose one another so soon afterwards.

---

It wasn’t particularly early but the Dupont house was strangely silent compared to every other morning she’d spent there. It was no wonder when Ashley considered how late everyone had stayed up partying. She’d left the place looking as if someone had loaded food, crockery and cutlery into a giant party popper and set it off, and that was despite sporadic efforts to clean as they went along. If she’d ever wondered just how debauched a centenarian could be she had her answer now. But there was no time to worry about the mess, because she wanted to get to Haydon before the rest of the world woke and demanded her attention. Silently slipping from the house, she strode across to his, the morning shiny and bright and new.

He was waiting at the gates, taking her into his arms before they’d spoken even a word and kissing her with such fire it left her breathless.

‘You smell amazing,’ he said.

‘It’s called a shower.’ Ashley raised her eyebrows and he laughed again.

‘Come and sit on the veranda for a while.’ He pulled her by the hand towards the house. ‘You want a coffee?’

‘I’m good. I don’t want to let you out of my sight, even to make coffee.’

On the love seat overlooking gardens painted yellow by the climbing sun, he pulled her close and she nestled into him.

‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said. ‘And I don’t want you to say no this time because I’m Molly’s dad so I get a say officially now.’

‘OK.’

‘I want to help her get into music school.’

‘But we talked about the one where your friend worked and—’

‘The one she wants. In York. I want to pay the fees.’

Ashley sat up to face him. ‘But you can’t! They’re astronomical! And you have Ella to support already!’

‘Did you think I wasn’t going to offer financial support to Molly too now that I know?’

‘That wasn’t the reason I told you – we’ve managed fine for all these years.’

‘I know it wasn’t, but what kind of bastard would I be if I didn’t? Besides, she has incredible talent and we mustn’t let her waste that.’

‘You really think so?’

‘Of course I do! Don’t you?’

‘Well yes, but… I’m her mum, aren’t I? We always think our kids are the best.’

‘Let me tell you that even when I didn’t know Molly was my daughter I was blown away seeing her play. She’s fantastic, Ash, and she needs the best place to nurture that. So I was thinking… maybe you wouldn’t mind so much if I came up to York to take a look around the school and help you get her enrolled?’

Ashley raked her teeth over her lip as she gazed at him. She was in no doubt that he meant every word of what he said and it would make all Molly’s dreams come true. But it was a huge ask and she was so used to refusing help from others that it was hard to shake the notion that she ought to refuse it now. Stubborn, Sue had called her, and perhaps she had a point.

‘You know it makes sense,’ he said, seeming to read the conflict in her head.

‘What about Ella?’

‘When the time comes for Ella to choose I’ll work something out with Janine for her, just like I’m doing with Molly now. Besides, Janine’s got that loaded numpty of a boyfriend who’s determined to move them to some luxury flat in London. If he’s serious about being a part of her life as he keeps saying he is then he’ll have no trouble sticking his hand in his very deep pockets too.’

Ashley couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her. ‘You don’t like him much, do you?’

‘I’m sure he’s a decent bloke. But you know I’m very insecure and how am I supposed to compete with such perfect husband material? Sarcasm and derision are the only weapons I’ve got to fight back with and I have to keep some semblance of self-respect intact somehow.’

She leaned in and kissed him. ‘You have absolutely no reason to feel second best. If it makes you feel any better, I’m glad he’s so perfect because it means Janine won’t be trying to get you back from me and I get to keep you forever and ever.’

He gave her a crooked smile. ‘I don’t suppose that would be so bad then. Maybe I could like him a bit better after all…’

Wrapping her in his arms, he pulled her in and kissed her again, long and lazy, the smell of him and the taste of his lips driving all other thoughts from her head.

Then a sound from behind had them leaping apart.

‘Ella!’ Ashley said, heat rushing to her cheeks. She suddenly felt like a teenager caught in her bedroom with the boy she’d snuck in. ‘Good morning.’

Ella looked as if she couldn’t decide whether to burst out laughing or vomit. She clearly felt as uncomfortable as Ashley for chancing upon her dad in what might have been the first flush of foreplay.

‘Hi, Ashley.’

‘Everything OK?’ Haydon asked, straightening imaginary creases from his clothes.

‘Can I use the last of the milk for my cornflakes? I mean, we’re going home today anyway, so is it OK?’

‘Of course. Go ahead and get your breakfast. Ashley and me will be in to sit with you shortly.’

‘Is Molly coming over for breakfast?’ Ella asked.

Haydon looked at Ashley. Any romantic assignation had already been scuppered so it seemed like a nice idea to get Molly over and have breakfast as a family. Hopefully it would be the first of many, and what a way to start the tradition as the sun rose over the beautiful Côte d’Azur.

‘I’ll go and wake her,’ Ashley said. ‘I think she’d love to come for breakfast.’

If he’d have said so to Ella, Haydon suspected that she would have felt like a replacement daughter had taken her spot. But the fact was, Haydon had somehow, over the past couple of days, made peace with the idea that Ella might move away with Janine and Kevin. He was sure that the new baby, while representing a big shock and upheaval for Ella, would settle them as a family even more. There was no getting away from the idea that Kevin was here to stay and that he was now as much a part of Ella’s life as Haydon himself was, and as long as Kevin was a good stepdad then Haydon supposed he couldn’t really ask for anything more. He’d still be sad about it sometimes, but the world had changed and Haydon knew now that he had to change with it.

And then there was Ashley and Molly. Whenever they came to mind he tried to temper the building excitement that his own happy ending was on the horizon. He’d learned in recent years that life often disappointed but he was quietly hopeful that this time what had become his normal expectation would be confounded. Ashley was special, and the fact that they already had a daughter together brought them closer in a way that other couples at this stage of a new relationship could never be. Whether that would turn out to be a good thing or not was impossible to say right now, but Haydon was optimistic and filled with determination that this time, with Ashley, he’d get it right.

Molly threw him a bright smile as she passed the coffee pot as they breakfasted out on the veranda of his villa, and hope swelled in his breast again.

‘I’m so excited to get back home,’ she said. ‘Not that I won’t miss being here with you,’ she added quickly. ‘But I want to get the application in for my music course.’

‘If you need help with any of it just shout.’ Haydon poured his second coffee of the morning. ‘I’ve written one or two personal statements in my time so I might be able to give you some pointers. I mean, I’m sure you’re capable of writing one but…’

‘I’d love that,’ Molly said, beaming. ‘I may have passed the audition but I still want to get the application just right. This means so much to me and I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re helping me to go.’

Haydon smiled warmly. But then his gaze flitted to Ella, who was quietly watching the exchange, and he gave her an encouraging smile too.

‘Both of you – whatever you need, remember that you can come to me any time. It’s what I’m here for and I want to give you both the best start in life that I possibly can.’

Ella’s mouth briefly stretched into a smile of acknowledgement, but Haydon could sense that she was still troubled. He felt pretty sure that not all of it was down to the news that he had another daughter and that he’d have to talk to Janine about her emotional welfare when he got back. Ella had told him that she felt guilty about keeping Janine’s pregnancy from him and she couldn’t seem to get past that, no matter how many times he’d reassured her that she’d only done as her mother had asked and that he didn’t blame her at all. As for Haydon himself, now that he was over the initial shock of Janine’s pregnancy and moved on to a whole new level with Ashley, the idea didn’t worry him all that much. Janine had a new life to live and so did he, and at least he had a good solid friendship with his ex-wife for them to support each other through the trials that their new lives apart would bring.

Ashley pushed her plate away and gave a contented sigh. The sun filtered through the branches of a vine heavy with deep green leaves and threw dappled shadows on her face. She was dressed simply in a white vest and jeans, her hair gathered in a loose plait, and yet he didn’t think she’d ever looked lovelier. When he’d first spotted her in a crowded bar in Ibiza all those years ago the effect she’d had on him had been like a punch to the stomach. Something had clicked and he’d known, crazy as it would have sounded had he said it out loud, that she was the one. He hadn’t been able to believe his luck when she’d accepted his offer of that first drink and he’d known without knowing that he’d been falling for her as soon as they’d started to chat. Now, it was like that first night all over again, except this time he was more certain than ever that they had a future – the one he’d been convinced of at the start. He’d had to wait a good deal longer than he’d ever imagined, and the road had been fraught with detours, but it had come at last.

Ashley stretched and glanced at her watch. She frowned.

‘I didn’t realise it was that late,’ she said. ‘We’re not even packed to leave yet.’

‘Do you absolutely have to pack?’ Haydon asked. ‘Can’t you stay here and I’ll help you throw your knickers into the boot of Maurice’s car later?’

‘No.’ Ashley giggled. ‘But I appreciate the offer. Anyway, don’t you have a flight to catch too?’

‘I can pack for us,’ Molly put in. ‘If you wanted to stay here with Haydon’ – she blushed – ‘Dad for a while longer.’

‘It’s OK,’ Haydon said. ‘Your mum’s right, Ella and I have packing of our own to do and a flight to catch.’

‘Right,’ Molly said. There was a brief pause. ‘Can we see you next weekend?’

Haydon’s smile would have split his face if it had got any wider. ‘I’m sure we can figure something out if that’s OK with your mum…’

‘It’s more than OK with me,’ Ashley said. ‘I can’t believe you even have to ask.’

Haydon turned to Ella. ‘What do you think? Reckon your mum will be OK with us going to York next weekend?’

‘You want to take me?’

‘Of course I do!’

‘Only if you want to come,’ Molly added. ‘I could show you around if your dad doesn’t mind me taking you out. There’s some really cool shops.’

It was Ella’s turn to smile broadly now. She turned to Haydon and he nodded.

‘It’s OK with me,’ he said. ‘As long as I get to drop you off in town and you keep me posted where you are I’m sure it’ll be fine.’

‘I’ll ask Mum!’ Ella squeaked, and she raced off to get her phone.

‘We’d better go,’ Ashley said, and he could hear the regret in her voice. It was the same regret settling over him now, but he forced a cheery tone.

‘OK. We should be getting sorted now anyway.’

At the garden gates, Molly threw herself into his arms. ‘See you next week,’ she said.

‘You bet,’ he replied.

With a quick glance between her mum and dad, she gave a knowing smile and then began to walk ahead.

‘Catch me up when you’re ready, Mum.’

Ashley turned to Haydon and reached to kiss him.

‘You’ve got my phone number?’ he asked.

She nodded. ‘You know I have; I’ve been texting you.’

‘But I don’t want to take any chances. So you’ve absolutely, definitely got my phone number this time?’

‘Yes.’ She smiled. ‘I’ve got it, tattooed on my heart. How’s that?’

‘Will you be able to put it on speed dial from there?’

‘You’re funny.’

‘Ella doesn’t think so.’

‘Well she’s had more time to get bored of you. I’m looking forward to having enough time to get bored of you myself.’

‘I think there’s every chance of that happening. The girls will be nagging us to get together at every opportunity for a start.’

‘So you need nagging to see me?’

‘Of course not…’ He pulled her close and kissed her. ‘I need nagging to stay away. And even then I’m not listening…’

She smiled. ‘You know that thing you said last night?’

‘I said a lot of things last night.’

‘When you said you loved me. Tell me now. Tell me you love me.’

He smiled down at her, his heart thudding. He’d never imagined he’d get to say it out loud, that he’d ever have the right to say it out loud to her, but here it was. And a more perfect moment, underneath the cornflower skies of Saint-Raphaël, he couldn’t imagine.

‘I love you,’ he said.

‘I love you too,’ Ashley said. ‘Tell me again.’

‘I love you,’ he repeated, dipping to kiss her.

Her smile was broad and content as they broke apart. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of hearing that.’

‘I’ve got a good few years to make up for so I’ll be saying it a lot.’ He frowned. ‘Do you think Molly will forgive me? For not being around.’

‘It wasn’t your fault.’

‘I know, but I kind of feel like it was.’

‘You worry too much. She likes you. Especially now you’re helping out with the music school.’

‘Yeah, but she doesn’t know me, not like a daughter should know her dad.’

‘But she knows enough to see that you could be a good dad and you know what they say about better late than never.’

‘I think they were probably talking about arriving at parties and things when they invented that saying.’

‘I think they were talking about just this sort of situation. Yes, we’ve all lost a few years but what’s past is past. The important thing now is where we go from here.’

‘York?’

‘No, silly!’ Ashley prodded his chest and he grinned.

‘So you think we can be a proper family?’

‘I know we can. Just as soon as we can work out the actual logistics of it.’

‘Where will we live?’

‘I’ve no idea!’ Ashley laughed. ‘Talk about forward planning.’

‘It’s just going to kill me being apart from you all the time.’

‘It’s going to be hard for me to move south – for the next few years at least.’

‘I know, and I wouldn’t expect you to make that sacrifice anyway. You have so much up in York with your family and I would never ask you to leave that behind.’

‘I would if I had to.’

‘I know that. If anyone ought to move it’s me, but… I can’t leave Ella just yet to come north. Things may change when Janine has her baby and they move to London, but at the moment…’

She reached to kiss him. ‘I wouldn’t ask you to make that sacrifice either. There’s no rush – for now we’ll just visit tons until you work it out. I think you’d like York, though.’

‘It sounds to me like you’ve already decided where we’re going to live.’

‘Just saying,’ she replied, aiming a coquettish smile at him. ‘It’s cool.’

‘If all the people there are like you and Molly then I believe that.’

‘I can’t speak for all of us, but there’s a fair few. So for now I get to see you next week?’

‘Whether you like it or not.’

She kissed him again. ‘I can’t wait,’ she whispered.

She’d never been one for emotional goodbyes, but there had been tears as Ashley kissed a fond farewell to Violette Dupont and Nanette and the rest of the wonderful people she’d met that week. She’d miss waking up with the sun on the walls of her tiny guestroom at Villa Marguerite and having breakfast on the veranda where butterflies played kiss-chase and bees hummed a drowsy tune, lunch at whatever pavement café caught her eye and late suppers in the cool kitchen listening to Aunt Violette’s stories, Maurice’s translations broken up by his sporadic laughter.

As Maurice now started the engine and the little house with its pink walls and wildflower garden moved slowly away, she spared a moment to reflect that it hadn’t all been idyllic plain sailing. But that was OK. If someone had told her to go through meeting Haydon again with all the anxiety and uncertainty that had brought, knowing what waited for her at the end of that rocky road, she still wouldn’t hesitate, not for a single heartbeat. During what had simultaneously been the worst and best week of her life, the shape of her future, though still hazy, had changed beyond recognition. Molly’s too, because Ashley trusted Haydon completely when he said that he’d do everything in his power to make Molly’s dreams come true. Now that Ashley herself had a partner in her struggles to give Molly all that she deserved in life, she was sure that between them they could do just that.

As for Ella, Ashley was sure that having Molly in her life would eventually be a good thing, despite Ella’s own uncertainty. In Molly she had a role model, someone to look up to, someone to turn to when life with Janine’s new baby got too much, someone more her own age she’d be able to confide in. Haydon had been concerned about their relationship but Ashley didn’t think he needed to be.

The countryside flashed by now and she settled back in her seat with a contented sigh. Glancing over to Molly, who sat next to her, Ashley could see that she was texting Ella already, despite the fact they’d only left them an hour before. It just added to her growing confidence in their future as a family. A year down the line, maybe even less, all that was new and strange now would be normal and comfortable and it was a lovely thought. Even lovelier was the idea that she and Haydon might be together, a proper couple living in the same house with their daughter. She smiled as her tummy did somersaults that were nothing to do with the bump in the road Maurice had just taken at speed. It didn’t matter that she’d lost sixteen years with Haydon, because they had so much more to come – a future better and brighter for the years they’d had to wait – and she just knew it was going to be amazing.