‘’Course, as long as you understand I’ll be away for several days at a time.’ He turned away and gulped down a glass of water. It would be tricky, but what choice did he have? He’d struggled over it for months. He just couldn’t give up Maddy and the girls and he had to do everything possible to protect them from this. Why should they suffer? They hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d managed to keep it all on his terms so far, coming here a couple of nights a week and every other weekend. Holidays could be difficult, but he’d work something out. Better than having some judge tell him when he could or couldn’t see his kids.

‘What are the houses like?’

‘Three bedrooms, good size garden, all mod cons, as Gran would say. The one I have in mind has an old apple tree in it.’

She snuggled under his arm.

‘It’s the best one, corner plot, plenty of space for Jamie to run around.’ The truth was, he’d picked it weeks ago because it had a similar layout to home.

‘Low maintenance, I hope; you know I hate gardening.’

‘I can do all that, it’s mainly lawn anyway. Perfect for football.’

‘We could patio it.’

‘That would be a shame, I was thinking of planting some vegetables.’

‘It’d be good for Jamie to ride his bike.’

‘Well why don’t you come and see it first?’

She sat up. ‘Today?’

He thought for a minute. ‘Yeah, okay, why not. The decorating is almost finished. I hope you like it – chose it myself.’ He’d already put his name down for it so his boss didn’t mind him choosing the décor. It was the same wallpaper and carpets he’d used at home so that everything was familiar to him. Less likely to make a stupid mistake.

‘It’ll be our new start – as a proper family.’ She kissed him on the cheek.

Jamie came in holding an Action Man attached to a harness and bungee rope he’d bought him.

‘I’m hungry,’ he said, climbing into bed between them.

‘Hello little man.’ Max gave him a hug.

‘We’ll get up in a minute,’ Ali said. ‘Shall I make porridge?’

‘Yeah.’ Jamie rubbed his tummy.

‘Then we’re going on a secret journey.’ Max put his finger to his lips.

He giggled. ‘Where are we going?’

Max and Ali laughed. ‘It’s a secret!’ they said together.

‘Wait here, I’ve got something for the birthday girl.’ Max went out of the room and a few moments later came back with a large box tied up with a bow. He laid it gently on the carpet.

Ali’s eyes shone. The box moved by itself.

‘What is it, Jamie?’ She threw back the duvet and stood up.

Jamie giggled. ‘It’s a surprise!’

‘Take a look inside.’ Max grinned at her.