As they stroll along laughing, two sisters and their brother look like they share a lifetime of memories and happiness together.
In fact, the three siblings grew up having no idea each other existed.
It wasn’t until they were in their 50s that they finally all met.
They have the same birth mother, but only Moira Tonge, 52, was raised by her. Caroline Byass, 59, and Steve Austin, 55, were adopted by different families when they were babies.
Steve was in his 20s when he traced birth mum Mavis Eglington via the phone book, and found out about his younger sister Moira.
The two siblings became close, then 30 years later at Mavis’ funeral in 2020 they realised they had a sister when they overhead relatives talking.
Steve then contacted ITV show Long Lost Family, which tracked down Caroline. The mum-of-three, who did not know about her siblings, says: “It was mind-blowing.
“There aren’t enough adjectives to cover how I felt – fear, excitement and honour that somebody would go to those lengths to find me.
“My adoptive family were very nice but I knew from a very early age I didn’t fit. I just couldn’t connect.
“I’ve lived all my life not looking like anybody, so it’s strange now knowing I do belong somewhere.”
The trio were brought together this year. Steve says: “We were strangers, but we never felt like strangers.”
Caroline says: “I remember leaning over the table the first time I met Moira and saying ‘I’ve got your eyes’. She said ‘No, I’ve got yours. You came first’. I feel like I finally am wanted.
“Meeting them has given me stability. I’m suddenly anchored. They belong to me and I belong to them.”
AMAZING
Mavis was 19 and unmarried when she had Caroline in 1962. The family persuaded Mavis to have the baby adopted. Caroline says: “I know she wanted me because there was a tear stain on the adoption papers.”
When Mavis gave birth to Steve four years later, the family again said adoption was the best option.
Local government officer Steve says: “I had a wonderful childhood.
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“Mum and Dad gave me everything but when I had a child of my own it made me realise I didn’t know who I was and where I was from.”
On learning about Moira, dad-of-two Steve says: “I had been an only child all my life, which is quite a lonely experience, so
to discover I had a sister was just amazing.”
Moira, who never knew about him, recalls: “Steve came into my life when I was about 22.
“I came home, there was no introduction. When I walked over to Steve and threw my arms around him I knew this was my brother.”
Steve, of Watford, Herts, lives a mile from mum-of-one Moira, who works in education.
Caroline, who is divorced, lives in neighbouring Bedfordshire.
Moira says: “Caroline is coming into our fold. It’s wonderful.”
- Long Lost Family is on ITV on Monday at 9pm.
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