So last night I confessed to Darren that I’d been looking into fostering. I told him how much it means to me to be a mum. He said I’d be a great mum but it wasn’t for him. I might have said that he was being selfish. He disagreed saying he wasn’t going to stand in my way and it was better if we split up. So he’s moved out and gone to stay at a mate’s. So that went well. Please don’t me call back, I can’t talk about it just yet without sobbing xxx

Oh God. Poor Evie. What a nightmare. Was this my fault? I’d been the one urging her to tell him the truth. I felt sick at the thought. I texted her back.

My darling girl, I’m so, so sorry. I’m coming home. Sending massive hugs and see you soon xxx

There’s no need, I’m better off alone x

I’m coming anyway

Thank heavens

I wondered if that was what Dad was calling about and called him next.

‘Hello, love! Lunch break?’

I hesitated. ‘Sort of. Is everything okay? How’s Evie?’

‘Evie?’ He sounded confused, which meant he didn’t know yet. ‘Fine, I think. Now, I’ll keep this brief as you’re on your mobile.’

‘It’s fine, Dad, honestly.’ He was always convinced that calls to mobiles cost an arm and a leg.

‘If you say so,’ he said warily. ‘It’s just that Adam has proposed to his girlfriend.’

‘That’s great!’ This was lovely news; Adam was Dad’s new business partner and his girlfriend Nicky was the receptionist at the village doctor’s surgery.

‘They both still live at home at the moment but they’ve decided to move in together,’ Dad continued.

‘Okay.’ I waited for him to get to the punchline, he would never normally call to update me on this sort of stuff.

‘And they’ve asked to rent our house – I mean, my house – while I’m on my travels.’

‘Oh. That’s good.’

My spirits sank. I hadn’t got as far as thinking about my living arrangements, but somewhere in the back of my head, I’d thought maybe Dad would let me live there while he was away.

There was a pause on the line.

‘So now I can get going sooner than I thought. I’ve planned a route, bought some travel books and … Well, you don’t need to know all that.’

‘I’m happy for you Dad, really. And I think Mum would be really proud of you for going.’