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she’d lost her own parents and she could understand exactly how Joey felt—and she wasn’t emotionally hopeless with the boy, the way he was.
    ‘I know it was a genuine offer,’ he said softly, ‘and I’m not trying to come on to you, either.’ Though he knew that wasn’t strictly true. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about Flora Loveday drew him. And it was completely unexpected because she was nothing like the women he usually dated. She wasn’t sophisticated, fashionable or glamorous. Butthere really was something about her that made him—well, just
want
her.
    Though, right now, he knew he couldn’t think about dating anyone. His life was too complicated. He pulled himself together. ‘It’s always good to make a new friend. Especially one as kind as you.’
    She blushed even more, and Tom couldn’t help smiling. Flora was so sweet. And there was a vulnerability about her that made him feel protective. Strong.
    ‘And it’s really all right for you to help me with Joey?’
    ‘I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it.’
    Tom closed his eyes for a moment. It seemed as if his prayers had all been answered. ‘Flora, thank you. I have no idea what I would’ve done if you hadn’t offered to help.’
    Looking embarrassed, she glanced away. ‘It’s not a big deal. Joey’s a nice little boy. But he might not want to come here.’
    Tom smiled. ‘Considering that he was up before I was, this morning—and I always wake at six—and he’d got himself dressed, with odd socks and his shirt on back to front, ready to come and see you and play with Banjo… I think he’s going to say yes. But you’re right—we do need to ask him first.’ He looked over to where his nephew was busy making a fuss of Banjo, rubbing the dog’s tummy while the spaniel had his eyes closed in bliss.
    ‘Joey—can you come here a moment, sweetheart, please?’
    Joey eyed the dog, clearly torn between making a fuss of him and doing what his uncle had asked, but eventually trotted over.
    ‘How would you feel about Flora picking you up from after-school club in future?’ Tom asked.
    Joey frowned. ‘Carol picks me up from school.’
    ‘I know, but Carol has to go to live in London very soon,’ Tom said gently. ‘It’s a big change for you, I know, but I’vebeen trying to find someone you’d like to stay with while I’m at work.’
    Joey’s hazel eyes turned thoughtful. ‘Would Banjo come, too?’
    ‘Banjo’s normally here during the day,’ Flora said. ‘But he’d be here to meet you when we got back from school. You could help me take him for a walk. Would you like that?’
    Joey considered it, then nodded shyly.
    ‘And then I’ll come and fetch you as soon as I’ve finished work,’ Tom said.
    ‘Can I play with Banjo again now?’
    Tom smiled. ‘Sure.’
    Joey raced back to the dog and found the squeaky bone.
    ‘When do you want me to start picking him up?’ Flora asked.
    Tom thought about it. ‘Carol’s right in the middle of packing everything now. It’s pretty disruptive for Joey, and I’m trying to keep things as calm as I can.’ Calm and relaxed, like it was here at the farmhouse, Tom thought. Everything was neat and tidy, though it wasn’t the kind of house where you’d be scared to move a cushion out of place. It was more that everything felt
right
just where it was, warm and welcoming and organised and comfortable. Just what Joey needed.
    As for what Tom himself needed…he wasn’t going to examine that too closely.
    ‘I’ve got a day off on Monday. I don’t have anything planned, so I could start then, if you like?’ Flora suggested.
    ‘Actually, I’m off myself on Monday and Tuesday—I work four days on and then four days off,’ he said. ‘But if you can do Wednesday to Friday this week, that’d be brilliant.’
    ‘What time does your shift start?’
    ‘I work seven until seven.’
    ‘So what happens in the mornings,’ she asked, ‘if you haveto be at