I smile. “Of course we can. After dinner.”

I tap her on the nose and she giggles.

Her question stabs me in the chest. But when I think about it, Josh has been late home all week. Not crazy late, but enough that she’s asleep by the time he gets there.

Clearly, there are still things we need to work out. I love and support my boyfriend, but he needs to prioritise our daughter.

But I keep the mood light, and I drive her home playing that damned “Baby Shark” song in the car, which she very happily sings along to.

Despite the house being so big, our family area is cosy with the kitchen, dining room, and living room all open-plan.

Melly and I sit in front of the television to eat our mac and cheese. She chatters away about Josh joining us. She’s painfully aware of his absence, and it hurts.

The pieces of our life have stitched themselves together only to fray at the seams.

“When’s Daddy coming home?” she asks for the third time.

I stroke her hair. “I’m not sure, sweetheart. I’ll text him, but him and Reece are very busy right now.”

Reece, who skipped work to hang out with me.

I choose not to tell Melly that bit.

After dinner, ice cream, a bath, and teeth brushing, I read her a story.

I sit beside her on the bed until her shoulders slump. Her long eyelashes flutter as sleep claims her, and I smile as she snorts and rolls over.

“That’s my girl.” After a gentle kiss to her temple, I leave the room to get changed for bed.

I walk into our spacious bedroom, pick up the remote control, and flick on the TV.

Nothing keeps my interest, and I drift in and out of dozing, pushing myself to try and stay awake.

Hurry up and come home, Josh.

Forty-Eight

Josh

It’s dark when I finally walk in the door.

All day long, I promised myself I’d be home early but, as happens most days lately, one problem leads to another.

We’re in pre-production, but as Reece and I are running the show, we have a hand in everything right now. Although God knows where Reece disappeared to today.

The bedroom’s dark, but I make out the shape of Delaney under the covers.

As quietly as I can, I pull open my drawer and pluck out a pair of boxers. All I want now is to have a hot shower and crawl into bed with my girl.

The hot water soothes my aches and pains, but does nothing to alleviate the heaviness of my heart. This whole thing is a lot harder than I’d ever imagined. I’m proud of what we’re about to do, but it’s exhausting. We’ve already learned so much for next time around.