As much as I loved Payton, I felt semi-resentful about having to leave the Point early simply so I could stand on the sidelines and watch her bazillionth soccer game. It wasn’t even the proper season yet.

Geez, what kind of mother was I to be more excited over prepping walls and sandpapering doorframes than I was about seeing my daughter?

Perhaps if I knew I wasn’t also about to see Adrian, I’d be more enthused. But my stomach churned at the thought of more awkwardness between us. I’d seen him a grand total of three times since that fateful day and each time I hoped for a sign that he’d started to miss me. Instead, each time he became more and more of a stranger and I felt the chasm between us growing, and my hope of mending my family slipping away.

Said stranger’s car was already parked at the soccer grounds when I arrived, and I could see Payton in the distance kicking a ball around as she warmed up with her team. Adrian—his phone in front of his face like a teenager—stood on the sidelines with the other parents.

Was he checking out the options on Tinder? Setting up dates, or rather hook-ups, for his upcoming week of freedom? My heart squeezed at the possibility.

Charlie whined in the passenger seat. I hadn’t had time to drop him back at the house so I’d brought him with me, which might be a blessing in disguise. Instead of having to make small talk with my estranged husband or the other parents, who I no longer felt like I had much in common with at all, I could use Charlie as an excuse to walk around the outskirts of the pitch.

With a deep breath, I climbed out of the car. Charlie jumped over the seat after me, tugging on the lead as he spotted Adrian. Payton ran towards us, threw her arms around me, squeezed tight and then let go to kiss Charlie on the nose.

‘You’re here!’ She sounded surprised.

‘Of course I am,’ I said. ‘Wild horses wouldn’t have kept me away.’

Adrian stashed his phone in his pocket when he saw us. ‘Morning, Ashling.’

‘Hi,’ I managed and then spoke to Payton. ‘How was your dentist appointment?’

‘Great. Grandma took me. The dentist said I had near-perfect teeth, so she bought me a lollipop on the way home to celebrate.’

A lollipop? Good Lord. But that wasn’t what bothered me.

I waited until Payton skipped back to join her teammates and then I turned to look at Adrian.

‘You got your mum to take her?’ I said almost under my breath as I didn’t want eavesdroppers to hear the argument we were about to have.

‘Yes.’

‘She’s your daughter and your responsibility during your weeks.’