‘Anoushka may not be my flesh and blood, but I love her every bit as much as I if she were. Make no mistake, matey, I’d lay down my life for her just as I would for my other children.’ She narrowed her eyes, stepping closer to him until her face was inches away from his. ‘And I’d kill for all four of them, too.’

Damon leaned back and gulped audibly.

Anoushka looked on, her mouth hanging open. She’d never seen her step-mum like this before; she’d hardly ever heard her raise her voice. But this version of Kitty was actually quite terrifying. Sensing movement behind her, she turned to see Molly and Vi coming into the room, stopping either side of her in a gesture of support. Vi reached across and rubbed Anoushka’s arm, giving her a sympathetic smile.

‘Rest assured, there’s no way I’m going to stand back and let you speak tomydaughterlike that. Got it?’ Kitty glared at him.

Damon gulped again, holding up his palms at her, adopting a softer tone to his voice. ‘Hey, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m only trying to help Anoushka; my method of being cruel to be kind might not—’

‘How dare you? Don’t even think about trying that out on me. Cruel to be kind? Who the hell do you think you are? You’re the worst sort of bully; a manipulative, gaslighting, nasty little shit. I know the signs; I used to be married to someone just like you. You’re wasting your breath on me and on Noushka. Now get your sorry arse out of our house before I set the dogs on you.’

Anoushka took a side-long-look at Ethel and Mabel who were watching events unfold with great interest. They appeared to be as surprised by this version of Kitty as everyone else. She caught Molly’s eye, who was struggling not to laugh at Kitty bandying about the threat of the dogs as if they were savage killers, and bit down on her own smile.

‘They may look soft and friendly, but I can assure you, they’re highly trained; all it takes is one word from me,’ said Kitty, pointing at Ethel and Mabel.

The pair blinked back at her.

‘I’d do what she says,’ said Molly, her tone deadly serious, no hint of the laughter that was ready to burst forth.

‘I agree; you don’t want to risk it,’ said Vi.

Damon inhaled briskly, his nostrils flaring as he brushed an imaginary piece of fluff from the lapel of his jacket. ‘Right, well, no one can say I didn’t try.’ He walked towards the door, giving Kitty a wide berth. ‘Goodbye, Anoushka.’

The women held a collective breath, waiting for the sound of his car to fade as he disappeared out of the village. As soon as the coast was clear, Anoushka ran over to Kitty, throwing her arms around her. Ethel and Mabel trotted over to them, nudging at their legs and wagging their tails excitedly. ‘Oh, my God! You were totally awesome, Mum! I can’t believe you said all that to him.’

‘Oh, Kitty, I do love it when you get angry, you’re so utterly fearless,’ Vi said, laughing.

‘I know, our Kitts is a hoot when she loses her rag, and it’s so hilarious when she swears; seems to have more impact ’cos she doesn’t usually have a filthy mouth.’ Molly gave a throaty chuckle.

‘Unlike her cousin.’ Vi arched her eyebrows at Molly who pulled a face at her in return.

‘Mind, I’m not so sure threatening him with those two was that convincing; they’re soft as muck, the pair of them.’ Molly nodded towards the dogs as she strode across and wrapped her arms around Kitty and Anoushka.

Vi scrunched up her face as she made her way over to join the group hug, her kitten heels clickety-clacking over the flagstones. ‘Yeah, I’m with you on that one, Moll. I think the biggest threat they pose is death by slobbering.’

‘Ooh, that would be perfect for Damon, you know how fussy he is,’ Anoushka said gleefully, releasing herself from the knot of arms. She looked down at Kitty, her hands resting on her shoulders. ‘But seriously, Mum, thank you so much for being there for me; I thought he was never going to leave unless I backed down to him.’

‘It’s all right, lovey. There’s no way I was going to stand back and let you go through what I did, you’re too precious to your dad and me. We might not have Damon’s grand plans for you, but we want you to followyourdreams, and we’ll be here to support you in any way we can. And we know you’ll be amazing at whatever you do.’

‘Hear, hear,’ said Vi, sniffing and wiping a rogue tear from her eye.

‘Too right,’ said Molly.

The affection shining in Kitty’s eyes made Anoushka’s throat constrict. She felt the sting of tears and swiped them away. ‘Love you, Mum.’ She wrapped her arms around Kitty once more, burying her face into her step-mum’s neck. The glimpse of the tough core Anoushka had guessed at filled her with a new-found respect for her.

‘Love you too, my darling.’

‘Have we missed something?’ The women turned to see Ollie standing in the doorway, a bemused expression on his face, his dark-blond hair ruffled by the breeze.

‘Oh, nothing much; just your missus being a total badass.’ Molly grinned at him, making the others laugh.

‘What? Kitty’s been a badass?’ he said, glancing between them, his face a picture of disbelief.

‘Ey up, you lot. Who’s been a badass?’ Jimby bowled into the kitchen, wearing his customary grin. ‘And was that Damon’s car we’ve just seen flying through the village like his arse was on fire?’

‘In answer to your first question, it’s your little sister who’s been a badass,’ said Molly, still laughing at Ollie’s expression. ‘And in reply to your second, yep, it’ll have been Damon’s car you saw.’

‘Damon’s been here?’ asked Ollie, his face darkening.