While Saxon retreated to his locker to collect his things, Adrian and I waited in the car park. He might have put on a united front in the presence of the principal, but his true colours returned the moment we were out of earshot.

‘Why didn’t you tell me Saxon had left the band?’

‘Because you and I are separated, in case you hadn’t noticed!’ Maybe he was right and this was something we should have discussed, but I was feeling enough guilt of my own without him trying to put even more blame on me.

He tossed his car keys in his hand. ‘No need for sarcasm, Ash, it never suits you.’

‘What suits me or not is no concern of yours,’ I said through gritted teeth. ‘What is our mutual concern is what we’re going to do about Saxon and getting him back on track, before it’s too late.’

‘Hmm.’ Adrian shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘I’ve been thinking lately, and today confirms it. Perhaps this nest-parenting arrangement isn’t working after all. Maybe I should just have the kids on the weekends—or even every second weekend—and you should be with them during the week.’

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

While this was exactly what I’d wanted a few months ago—if I couldn’t have all four of us back together—now the thought of leaving Ragged Point, of leaving Jedda, the cafe, the paper, the island, and of course Dan, filled me with despair.

I shook my head and held up my hand. ‘No!’

Adrian wasn’t getting out of his parenting responsibilities that easily—whether we liked it or not, we were in this parenting gig together. I wasn’t going to let him continue to live the high life and renege on his obligations while I sacrificed my own needs and desires once again.

‘No?’ He blinked, anger flashing through his eyes. ‘What do you mean no?’

‘Exactly that.’ I smiled sweetly at him. ‘You were the one who did this to our family. You decided the grass was greener elsewhere and that nest parenting was the best for the kids. We’ve had a few hiccups—I stuffed up not noticing the lack of emails from the school and both of us should have been paying more attention to what Saxon was getting up to in his room—but that doesn’t mean we have to change a situation that’s working fine in every other way.’

‘Fine’ might be an exaggeration, but I’d rather put up with the odd domestic grievance than give up everything else now. It was time for Adrian to step up.

‘I thought you’d be thrilled with this suggestion!’