Something’s got to change, she decided. And it meant a proper conversation with Matt. Although that might be a struggle, given the shift system they seemed to be working at the moment, never in the house at the same time without the kids around. No opportunity for a proper heart-to-heart.

Thoroughly distracted, she stumbled out of bed when she heard Matt come out of the shower and passed him in the doorway, hardly awake enough to acknowledge his presence. A routine done on autopilot. She leant against the tiles, letting the hot water run over her body, shampooed her hair and thought about the corner she’d boxed herself into.

Her wage was the only money coming in to the house until Matt’s contract paid out, but they hadn’t spoken recently about where he was up to, and she wondered how much longer it would be. The mortgage payments would start again in a couple of months, and by that time, it would be the summer holidays. Maybe she’d have to continue her part-time hours through the break to keep some money coming in. But would Matt be happy with that when the kids were at home?

Already her head was throbbing as she tried to work out what was best for everyone.

When she got down to the kitchen, Matt was tucking into scrambled eggs on toast.

‘You’re up early,’ he said before stuffing another forkful of food in his mouth, eating like he had a train to catch and was running late.

She’d assumed that it was their regular getting-up time, but when she glanced at the kitchen clock, she saw it was an hour earlier than she’d thought. She groaned and flopped into a chair at the kitchen table. ‘What the…’ She checked the clock again to make sure. ‘You mean, on the one morning that Ezra has actually stayed asleep and not woken me up, I could have had another hour in bed?’ She dropped her elbows onto the table and cradled her head in her hands.

Matt got up and made her a coffee, slid it in front of her. ‘There you go, that’ll help.’

She sat back in her chair, hugging the mug to her chest, breathing in the welcome aroma, while she waited for it to cool. It was a moment before her brain cleared a little and she understood what was puzzling her. ‘Why are you up so early?’

Matt chewed his mouthful, swallowed. ‘I’d hit a bit of a roadblock. It’s a puzzle I needed to solve, but I think I just worked it out.’ He grinned at her. ‘Woke up at five, and ping, there it was, the answer. I just want to get on with it before I forget.’