When Bianca made it back home, it was already lunchtime. She felt bone tired, and there was an ache in the small of her back, she realised belatedly. But she bent and picked up little Cian, who was babbling in joy when he saw her.

"You're getting to be a little fatty," she giggled as she kissed his pert nose. Her delighted son threw his arms around her neck and began to make a string of sentences.

Bianca carried him inside, listening to the jumbled, barely intelligible words, but ...