"Aww, thanks for babysitting," Rebecca told Jean as the eighteen-year-old settled herself with the children in the lounge.

"Well, I know it's been a while since you two had a date night. I don't know how you do it." Jean sighed, tucking her dark hair behind her ear. "I mean, I love being with the kids, but it must be so different, being around them every day."

"You get used to it," Rebecca told her breezily, "anywhere — anyway, I have Joe—"

"Who's like a big kid anyway," Jean replied with a grin.

"What was that, Jean Bean?" Joe queried, entering the lounge in his smart summer wear. All Hugo Boss, with Rebecca a contrast in floaty Kate Spade.

"She said you're a big kid," Rebecca said without thinking.

"Is that so? I could tell you a few stories about Beanie here."

"Please don't." Jean forced a smile, picking up Lucas, who looked uncannily like her. Born blonde, he was now dark with matching chocolate coloured eyes. She adjusted him against her hip, a mirror of her mother at her age.

"We'd better go, anyway," Joe chuckled. "See you, Trouble. Take good care of them, won't you?" He moved onto the rug to kiss each child in turn. Rachel got to her feet, a little unsteady and grabbed Joe's leg, followed by Seb, encouraging him to crouch and gather them both up in his arms, carrying them to Rebecca.

"Mummy will see you later, my lovely boy, my lovely girl." She kissed them and Joe spun them around easily, setting them back on the rug.

"And Lucas." Jean held him up, Joe chucking him under the chin with a smile.

"Little man," Joe cooed, whilst Rebecca kept her distance. She had a secret fear that Lucas was somehow different from Rachel and Seb and that she was to blame for it.

Joe, sensing her reluctance, took him from Jean and held him out to Rebecca.

"Baby, it's okay. Look at him," Joe soothed.

"I can't. Sorry," Rebecca replied bluntly.

"I'll take him," Jean offered as Lucas started to cry.

"So when are you off to this posh nanny school then?" Joe asked Jean, hoping to distract Rebecca. "Never thought that's what you'd choose to do."

"A few months time. I'm excited. It'll be a great experience."

"Looking after someone else's kids 24/7. Yeah," Joe scoffed, looking puzzled.

"It's not just any kids, though, Joe. Norborough have specialist qualifications to oversee the wellbeing of those from the Royal Family."

"Wow. Impressive. So, what does it mean to be a Norborough Nanny?"

"Everything that Graham secretly taught me in terms of defence and a lot more."

Joe glanced at Rebecca, giving her a smile.

"Anyway, we'd better get going."

"I'll be fine," Jean told them.

"Of course you will, our very own Royal Nanny in the making."

"Shut up," Jean groaned.

"Can't talk like that to your future employers," Joe chided with a smirk. "Come on, we'd better go." He held out his arm to Rebecca.

"Am I to take it that I am excused from babysitting duties?" A familiar deep voice came from behind them.

"Graham!" exclaimed Jean.

To her surprise, Graham smiled.

"I hear congratulations are in order?"

"I've been accepted to Norborough, if that's what you mean."

"Joe told me. Well done."

"Thanks."

"She also mentioned that you were training her up like Hanna," Joe added.

"Well, it's always good to know how to defend yourself," Jean replied. "Graham was like Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid."

Joe laughed.

"Anyway, I got into Norborough and I start in September."

"Just don't mention the hats," Joe hissed.

"They're not that bad."

"I thought you had a restaurant to go to?" Graham asked Joe pertinently.

"Yep. You're right." Joe ushered Rebecca to the door and at the last minute she hugged Jean.

"Thank you." Her eyes started to fill with tears.

"It's fine," Jean insisted, turning Lucas around. "There. Say goodbye to Mummy." She waved his hand gently.

Rebecca forced a smile, tears rolling down her cheeks and joined Joe.

"See you later," he told Jean and Graham, before shutting the door.