‘Don’t just pay it lip service,’ she interrupted. ‘But really support me – like no more complaining if I’m late. Like working together to look after the boys. You can’t just be a weekend parent any more, Chris.’

‘I know, I know. I’m sorry I’ve been so difficult. It’s just taking me a while to get used to it. Lucy’s great and everything but…’

‘But what?’ asked Claire.

‘Well, I like to come home and see you, not Lucy,’ he replied.

Claire felt herself thawing. ‘I know,’ she said, softly. ‘But it won’t be late nights forever – just while I get my feet back under the table, okay?’

‘Okay,’ agreed Chris. ‘But will you please consider dropping this rape case? I’m really worried about it, you know. I just don’t want you to have another breakdown like last time.’

‘I know, and I appreciate that. But I’ve agreed to it now. My involvement is so minimal though, so you really don’t need to worry.’

‘You sure?’

‘I’m sure,’ replied Claire.

Chris nodded and took the cup from her. He put his arms around her and her body responded, relieved that they’d sorted things out. He released her and lay down next to her on the bed, intertwining his fingers in hers.

‘Where are the boys?’ she asked.

‘Downstairs watching TV.’

‘I thought the house seemed quiet. Did you have a nice time?’

‘Yes, we did. We had a right laugh. It’s great to see Joshua back to his normal self again…’

Claire thought back to the period last year, which she now referred to as Joshua’s going off the rails phase.

‘Yeah me too – I wouldn’t want to go through that again,’ said Claire. ‘I’m still trying to keep a close eye on him though, as is Lucy, especially with his A levels coming up.’

‘Yeah, good idea,’ said Chris. ‘I guess it’s going to be quite a stressful year for him.’

‘What time is it? Why don’t we all go to the cinema tonight,’ suggested Claire, ‘instead of our usual film night at home? Next Saturday, remember I’ll be out with the girls so I won’t be able to do join you then. And don’t forget Luke is doing a sleepover that night as well.’

‘Luke?’ asked Chris.

‘Yes, remember? I told you about him. Jamie’s friend at school. His mum is Linda, also a working mum so I asked her to join us for our girls’ night out. Her husband works away a lot so I told her she could drop Luke off at our house and sleep over, so she doesn’t need to get a babysitter and she can have a bit of a lie-in the morning after.’

‘Okay, no problem,’ said Chris. ‘It’ll keep Jamie occupied for a bit anyway.’