‘It will be okay, Dad,’ she says, kissing him on the cheek before leaving the table. I’m sitting here with my mouth open. A fucking kiss on the fucking cheek and all I get is a shrug of the shoulders.

Tom’s like the cat that got the milk. ‘Well, that wasn’t too bad,’ he says. ‘She seems to have taken it well.’ Standing up from the table he walks over to the fridge, opens the door and looks inside. I’m left feeling confused and slightly angry. I didn’t want Amber to be upset but I was expecting a bigger reaction from her. More shock, drama, more when, how, where. But nothing, just, when can I meet him?

‘She’s only just heard… I’m sure she’ll be back with plenty of questions, Tom.’

‘Yeah, I’d say so. Still, I’m glad she wants to meet him.’

With a heavy heart, I push open the door to where the two boys still sit tuned in to the TV. I know I shouldn’t feel hard done by. Amber’s reaction is a good thing. I don’t want her to think bad about her father because it doesn’t feel good. I know.

‘More Krispies,’ Aaron says, holding out his bowl for me to fill. Tossing his hair, I take the bowl from his tiny grip and return to the kitchen to where Tom is now filling the kettle.

‘Aaron wants more Krispies… I’m going out.’

‘I thought you’d be here today, I’ve to—’

I cut him off mid-sentence. ‘I’m going out.’

Grabbing my bag from the table, I walk to the front door. I need some time to think, time on my own. I’m sick of running and racing after everyone, being taken for granted by my own family. Let’s see how they get on fending for themselves. Doormat Sally has had enough.

Chapter Twenty-Three

I’m not going to work. I just want to be on my own, all day, all week if I could. I need a break from this life that has happened to me while I was planning the real one. Taking my disappointment with me, I get into my car to drive somewhere, anywhere. Somewhere no one can find me.