‘Ah, right. Well, that could be because he’s decided he wants us to get back together and sees you as an obstacle to achieving that. Adrian is used to calling the shots and getting what he wants.’

‘Hang on …’ Dan turned to meet my gaze. ‘He wants you back? You didn’t say yes, did you?’

I gave him a look. ‘Now who’s the silly one? I pretty much told him to go to hell. The countdown till our divorce is officially still on.’

‘Thank fuck for that.’

I laughed and pressed my finger against his lips. ‘Shh … I don’t think you’re supposed to swear in a children’s hospital. Can I have some of your chips?’

‘Of course.’ He grabbed the bag and offered it to me. ‘Have you had any proper dinner?’

‘No. You?’

‘I’m fine. I’ve been stress-eating; this is my third bag of chips and I’ve had two bars of chocolate.’ He patted his six-pack stomach. ‘But do you want me to go get you some takeaway and bring it back?’

I shook my head. ‘Thanks. Another packet of these will do just fine.’ And it would mean him being here with me a little longer.

Dan went to the vending machine and got not one, but three different flavours. Hungrier than I realised, I devoured them all.

‘Do you have somewhere you can stay tonight?’ I asked, my appetite finally sated. ‘I don’t want you driving home in the dark.’

‘Will Payton be getting out of here tomorrow?’

‘I think so.’

‘Well, I’ll find a hotel room, then once she’s settled back at home, I can drive you and Charlie back to the Point.’

His words were like an icicle stabbing right into my heart, bringing with it a reality I hadn’t contemplated until that moment.

I couldn’t leave Payton tomorrow. I couldn’t leave her next week. I wasn’t even sure I could leave her and Saxon ever again.

Trying to quash the gnawing ache in my heart, I squeezed Dan’s hand. ‘I’m not going back to Ragged Point.’

‘What do you mean? Isn’t this still Adrian’s week with the kids?’

‘Yes, but I can’t leave Payton now.’

‘Of course. She’ll probably want her mum around a bit after today’s trauma and …’ His voice trailed off when he registered the expression on my face. ‘You’re not talking about temporarily are you? You’re not coming back at all?’

I shook my head, once again fighting tears. ‘If I’d been here then Payton wouldn’t be lying in there. Missing the rest of the soccer season is going to break her heart and it’s all my fault.’

‘That’s bullshit,’ Dan said. ‘You can’t blame yourself for this. You can’t let one incident shape the rest of your life.’