Lucy Greenwell

At the pub, Lewis had said that their two eldest sons already knew about Jess before Debbie did.

At the pub, Lewis had said that their two eldest sons already knew about Jess before Debbie did.

Looking at the messages between family members during those crazy days after Jess appears on the scene, they all seem pretty stunned.

Looking at the messages between family members during those crazy days after Jess appears on the scene, they all seem pretty stunned.

I know at least two of his children are sure their dad Lewis had no idea Jess existed.

I know at least two of his children are sure their dad Lewis had no idea Jess existed.

Maybe because of this, Jess doesn't seem to judge him as harshly as she does her biological mother.

Maybe because of this, Jess doesn't seem to judge him as harshly as she does her biological mother.

Still, it must have hurt a bit when after that brief exchange of messages, she hears nothing more.

Still, it must have hurt a bit when after that brief exchange of messages, she hears nothing more.

That was more than three years ago now.

That was more than three years ago now.

Jess tells me she doesn't mind, but I'm not so sure.

Jess tells me she doesn't mind, but I'm not so sure.

Jess often says to me family bonds aren't just about blood.

Jess often says to me family bonds aren't just about blood.

Having been raised by incredible adoptive parents, she knows that for certain.

Having been raised by incredible adoptive parents, she knows that for certain.

But when there's blood and a bond, there's a kind of alchemy to it.

But when there's blood and a bond, there's a kind of alchemy to it.