Once inside I’m guided to a corridor where he’s sitting with his solicitor, whispering behind his hand. He doesn’t look at me but he laughs and the solicitor grins at me and I fear the worst. Just as I get within speaking distance the door opposite opens and a small woman with a manila file comes out.

‘Mr and Mrs Atkinson? Come. Have a seat.’

We file in and the room is small. Jack still doesn’t look at me, but his fucking bent solicitor stares at me. I stare back. We’re so close that I can see Jack’s designer stubble is two days old and I can smell his aftershave. His nails are perfectly clipped and I compare them with mine, the edges torn with worry.

The woman begins, ‘Right. I’m Mrs Porter. I represent the family court. We’re here today to discuss the welfare of your children, Charlie and Laura. As you both know, Laura has spoken to a teacher and asked if she can see Mrs Atkinson. We put this to you, Mr Atkinson, and there was a refusal on the grounds of your ex-wife’s mental health. We’ve checked her medical records with her permission and there are no mental health issues.’

The solicitor sorts some papers and I try to catch Jack’s eye. Mrs Porter carries on.

‘Since then I understand that there has been a retraction of the refusal and a suggestion that the family situation be reconsidered.’

Yes. Yes. His solicitor speaks now.

‘Mr Atkinson has requested that living arrangements be revised. He is happy that the children live with Mrs Atkinson and that this will be in the interests of the children. He would like it to be placed on the record that he has the utmost interests of his children at heart and it is this that has brought him to this decision. He will be happy to have visitation rights with Charlie and Laura under the following conditions.’

He clears his throat and takes a sip of water. Jack’s staring at the table. Something is wrong here.

‘That Mrs Atkinson agree that while the children of the family are with Mr Atkinson and his partner, they will stay at 6 Gimble Lane for visitation until Mr Atkinson informs the family court of any change of address or different arrangements, and that Mrs Atkinson agrees to make no further objection to this arrangement.’

With his mum. With Missy. Something tells me that Emma has already laid the foundations for this. I wait for him to go on. Mrs Porter and the solicitor look at me, but Jack doesn’t. Mrs Porter speaks.

‘Mrs Atkinson? Do you agree to this?’

Is that it? Is that all he wants? He’s not going to go over what we discussed? I suppose not. It wouldn’t make him look too good, would it?