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Rich found himself taking the man’s hand and shaking it. The man’s grip was firm and confident.
    Rich felt his insides turn to water as the man introduced himself.
    â€œJohn Chance,” he said. “I’m your father.”
    They sat at the back of the church while the priest tidied things away and worked in the vestry.
    â€œHow can you be our dad?” Jade demanded as soon as they sat down.
    â€œWhy should we believe you?” Rich asked.
    â€œIt’s as much of a shock for me too,” Chance said.
    â€œWhy didn’t Mum say anything?” Jade asked. “We didn’t even know she’d been married.”
    â€œIt was a long time ago,” Chance said. “Sixteen years. I came home one day and she was gone. She left a note, but it didn’t say much. I assumed I’d hear – from her lawyers if not from Sandy herself.”
    â€œNo one called her Sandy,” Jade said. “Mum hated it.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Chance said. “Until last week I really didn’t know anything. Then I got a call from Mrs Gilpin. Apparently, your mother left a letter with her – in case anything happened to her.”
    Chance smiled, but it looked strained. “I did love your mother very much,” he said. “I believed she loved me.”
    â€œBelieved?” Jade prompted.
    Chance turned away.
    â€œShe never asked for a divorce – she even carried on using my name. We’re still married.” He hesitated, realising his mistake. “ Were still married. That’s partly why you’re in my care.”
    â€œI’m sorry if it’s spoiled your day,” Jade said sharply.
    â€œThat isn’t what I meant,” he said.
    â€œI guess it’s a shock for you too,” Rich said. He still had his hand on Jade’s shoulder. She put her hand over the top of it.
    â€œJust a bit,” Chance confessed. “But, look – we’ll make it work. I’m in the middle of some business right now, quite intense stuff. But that should be over soon. By the end of term, when you come home, we’ll be able to spend some time and sort out where we go from here, OK?”
    â€œCome home?” Rich echoed. “You mean we’re staying up here till the end of term?”
    â€œWith the Gilpins?” Jade asked. “While you go back to London?”
    Chance looked awkward. “Not exactly. That isn’t what I meant.”
    â€œThen what did you mean, Dad ?” Jade asked.
    â€œLook, I haven’t exactly had time to plan this,” Chance told them. “I live in a tiny flat right now. It’s hardly big enough for me, let alone the three of us. And I’m working all the hours God sends. I can’t get you to and from school and cook your meals and look after you and—”
    â€œAnd change our nappies?” Rich said. “We’re fifteen. We can cope. Mum worked, you know.”
    â€œWe’ll discuss it at the end of term, all right?” Chance said.
    â€œAnd where will we be in the mean time?” Rich wanted to know. “In some poky flat that’s too small for us all?”
    But Jade was staring open-mouthed at Chance. “No way. Absolutely no way at all, ever, on this earth.” She looked round at Rich.
    And he realised what she had already guessed. “Boarding school is right out,” he agreed. “Not if it’s the last school on the planet.”
    â€œJust till the end of this term,” Chance told them. “Till I can spend some time with you and work this out.”
    â€œNo way,” Jade said.
    â€œNever,” Rich told him.
    Chance stood up. His voice was quiet, but Rich could sense an undercurrent of determination. “I’m not asking you. I’m your father and I have to decide. I’m sorry, but that’s how it has to work. End of debate.”
    â€œThat wasn’t a debate,” Rich said. “A debate