‘Louisa’s booking the flights today.’

‘They’re flying back?’

‘The boat’s too slow, what with Lou being pregnant.’

‘Of course.’ She reached behind her for the door handle. ‘I’ve missed Isla. Be good to see her.’

He wiped the suds from his hand onto his shirt. ‘All worked out nicely, didn’t it?’

‘Did it?’

‘I think so. My wife’s coming home with my daughter. Your divorce should come through soon. I’d say that’s a big success all round.’

She stared back at him. ‘What?’

‘Don’t think I haven’t worked it out.’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Last week. You let me think Steve was at work.’

‘Did I?’ She brought her hands to her face. ‘Oh God, I didn’t mean to do that. I lost track of how long he’d been out of the house.’

‘Don’t bullshit me, Mandy. You must have known he’d be back any time.’

‘I forgot myself.’ She flushed hot at the memory. ‘The last thing I wanted was for him to come home.’

‘Is he giving you a divorce?’

‘What? No.’ She tried to make sense of his face. ‘No, we’re going to try and make a go of it.’

His eyebrows lifted. ‘He’s sticking around?’

‘We’re giving it a go. I don’t want to divorce him. I swear to God, Joe. You got the wrong end of the stick.’

His eyes moved over her face. ‘Could have sworn you’d set me up. Grounds for divorce.’

‘Don’t be daft.’ She tipped her head, tried to soften him. ‘No need for anything like that. We were a comfort to each other, you and me, weren’t we? A port in a storm. Nothing serious.’

He swung on his heel, back to the sink. ‘Was there anything else? Don’t want Steve coming over here looking for you.’

‘There was something—’

‘Best you don’t come back over. Let things settle down.’

‘Right.’ She couldn’t catch his eye. ‘Joe, I—’

‘I’ll be ready for him, if he sets foot on my property.’ He looked out the window to Mandy’s yard, pointing. ‘He’d better keep his distance.’

‘He’s asleep, don’t worry. He was up in the night with William.’

He tipped the dirty water out of the bowl. ‘Who’s William?’

‘The baby.’ She cleared her throat. ‘I wanted to talk to you about that.’

He became still. ‘The baby I saw you with? Little black kid?’

‘That’s him.’

‘What’s that all about?’

She stared down at his lino and tried to get her thoughts in order. He was making her nervous. ‘I was hoping you’d keep it to yourself,’ she said. ‘About the baby. Just for now.’

‘Why’s that?’ He turned and leaned back against the draining board, staring straight ahead.

‘It’s easier that way,’ she said. ‘We’re hoping to adopt him, but until then—’

‘You want me to keep quiet about it?’

She nodded. ‘Please.’

He raked his fingers through the stubble at his jaw. ‘You want to implicate me in what you’ve done?’

She swallowed. ‘No. I mean.’

He turned to face her. ‘You realise it’s hell to have a child taken from you?’