‘Hayley tells me you’ve been fixing up the house you’re staying in?’

‘Oh. Yes.’ I told him about the renovations I’d begun on the shack that belonged to Wei’s grandfather. ‘I spent the morning at showrooms looking at paint schemes, light fixtures, kitchen and bathroom cabinets.’

‘You sound like you’re in your element.’

Was that sadness, maybe even a little jealousy, I heard in his voice? Trying not to show my glee, I nodded. ‘I’m having so much fun.’

‘Good for you. Speaking of this Wei, do you think he’s more than just a lover? Hayley brought him round to Mum’s place last Tuesday for Brad’s birthday dinner. I don’t remember the last time she brought a plus-one anywhere.’

My heart ached at the mention of the family dinner. I wouldn’t have been able to go as I’d been in Ragged Point, but it would have been nice to have been invited. It also hurt a little that Hayley hadn’t mentioned it. I had a vision of what the future might entail if our separation morphed into divorce—I wouldn’t simply lose Adrian, but also the large and loving clan that had welcomed me not only when I was their neighbour and Hayley’s best friend, but even more so when Adrian and I had started going out. I even called his parents ‘Mum and Dad’ and was closer to them than I was to either of my folks.

What would my father-in-law have made of all this if he was still alive?

‘Um …’ Trying to form a sentence while my tear ducts welled wasn’t easy. ‘Yes, I think maybe this one will stick.’

Adrian laughed; thankfully he seemed unaware of my imminent meltdown. ‘Miracles do happen, I guess.’

Let’s hope so, because I certainly needed one.

Willing my tears to hold off a little longer, I said, ‘I’m sorry for tricking you into seeing me today but thank you for taking the time to listen.’

‘It’s all right.’ He reached into the basket for a piece of caramel slice. ‘You made it worth my while.’

My insides turned over and suddenly I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity pass. While I hadn’t gone there with the intention of begging him to reconsider his decision—to reconsider us—who knew when I’d have his captive attention again.

‘Listen,’ I began, ‘seeing the marriage counsellor forced me to take a good look at our marriage and also at myself. I’m willing to admit that there were cracks I might have been burying my head in the sand about. I was perhaps too focused on the kids and didn’t put enough effort into us.’

He raised an eyebrow as he popped the last of the slice into his mouth.