Jaxon asks me a hundred questions, between mouthfuls of food, about what I did after I ran from the restaurant. I tell him and my father everything just as it happened. They move between worry and relief as I recount the truck driver, police and bus ride, and my final freak-out at the bus terminal, cold and alone, before Melody arrived. I can tell from the spark in his eyes that Jaxon is a little bit impressed.

‘All that just to get away from me.’ My father sighs and puts down his fork, his plate of food untouched. ‘All I wanted was to get close to you. To have you in my life. And now I’ve ruined everything.’

I don’t know what to say.

‘Jaxon, bud,’ my father puts his hand on Jaxon’s shoulder, ‘would you give us a minute?’

Jaxon gets up and goes to join Melody and Autumn by the hot water.

‘I feel bad I made you drive all night,’ I say, wanting to take some small responsibility. ‘And, for the record, I don’t really think you’re evil.’ That’s all I’ve got, the only concessions I can make.

‘I brought something for you.’ He pulls a large box out of his backpack, wrapped in silver paper and tied with a pink ribbon. ‘I wanted to make sure you got it now, just in case, you know … I was going to give it to you in the restaurant, but then …’ He hands me the box.

I carefully unwrap it to find a photo album. Weird. He doesn’t have any pictures of me; I know Mum wasn’t in touch with him. Is he sharing photos of himself and his life before?

I slowly open the book. The first page holds a pastel pink card with a little baby and You’re One! in loopy writing. I take the card out of its sleeve and read.

Happy Birthday to my baby girl. Wishing you a wonderful year. I know you can’t read this yet, but soon we’ll be able to write to each other.

Inside the card is a photograph of my father by the ocean, clean shaven, hair windswept, young and fresh. This is me, it says. I return the card to the album and turn the page. The next card plays a song when I open it: It’s your second birthday, and you’re a big girl!

My stomach is starting to twist as I read. Two years old! A huge Happy Birthday hug from your dad, Adam. PS. I hope to have your address very soon so I can send this to you with your present.