He nodded towards the other bag he’d just put on the bed. ‘It’s in there.’ He looked back at me. ‘I asked her to stay with Saxon for half an hour. I wanted to kiss my girl goodnight.’

His words sounded sweet, but I’d known him long enough to suspect that wasn’t his only reason.

‘Please can I watch some soccer videos?’ Payton glared up at the television. ‘This is bor-ing.’

I was about to say that it was time to get into her nightie, brush her teeth and settle down, but Adrian got in first. ‘Okay, but not for long. I need to talk to your mother anyway.’

Not wanting to argue in front of her, I let him give her the iPad and then followed him out into the corridor.

He took my elbow and started to walk me away.

I stopped, pulling my arm back to my side. ‘I’m not leaving her. Whatever you need to say you can tell me right here, where we can hear her if she needs us.’

‘Okay.’ Adrian nodded, showing rare acquiescence, but stood silently beside me.

I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my foot. ‘Cat got your tongue?’

He cleared his throat, then, ‘Is Dan your boyfriend?’

‘What?’ I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly because his voice was hushed; clearly he didn’t want Payton to hear.

‘That bloke. Dan,’ he clarified. ‘There’s something going on between you, isn’t there?’

I blinked. ‘So, what if there is? Jealous?’

‘I … I’m a little surprised.’

‘What did you expect?’ I hissed, trying not to raise my voice. ‘That I’d join a convent? You’re not the only one with needs, Adrian. Or are you surprised that somebody else wants me when my own husband no longer does?’

‘I’m not surprised anyone would want you, Ash. You’re amazing. I’ve been a bloody fool.’

‘Excuse me?’ I seriously couldn’t believe my ears. These were the last words I’d expected to come out of his mouth.

‘I don’t know what happened to me,’ he went on. ‘I haven’t been feeling myself the last couple of years. I can’t really explain it, but ever since Dad died … I’ve felt different. Empty or something. Maybe I realised how short life was or something and it made me start questioning not only the relationship I had with Dad but the others in my life too.’

‘I wish you’d told me how you were feeling earlier,’ I said.