When he does speak, his voice startles me, “Do you want to go back to your apartment, or would you rather come back to my place and get some sleep before —” he takes a moment to find the right words, “— You know, before tackling any other big emotional things?”

“I’m not sure I’m following you — Oh, my dad is at my apartment isn’t he? No, take me there. I need to see him.”

We arrive as the sky is turning a beautiful mix of oranges, pinks and yellows. It’s the most magical sunset I have ever witnessed. He’s still with me. Jesse’s words of reassurance, from the night I was worried about him finding someone of his own, come to mind.

‘I’ll always be here for you, Kinsley. Day or night, if you call me, I will move heaven and earth to get to you.’

If only I knew then, what I know now.

My palm firmly grips the door handle, turning it slowly and pushing it open with caution. I expect Lou-loo to greet me as she normally does, with a big slobbery grin on her face, however the house is quiet. No pitter patter of paws, no excited barking; only silence.

“Lou?” I call out, walking through the front entry of my apartment. The lights are off down here so I continue through the living area and flick the kitchen lights on. I check the spare bedroom, nothing.

“Let’s check your room.” Tanner tips his chin in the direction of stairs.

“Lou-loo!” I sing louder this time. Her whimpers grow louder as my bed comes into view; she’s laying in the middle of my pillows with her head between her paws. “What’s wrong girl?”

“She’s been like this all day,” a gravelly voice responds over to my right.

I spin around towards the balcony. There, in the light of the setting sun, stands my dad. The golden light beams around him, as if he’s walked down the staircase from heaven; yet I know he’s been living in hell. He’s thinner, a little gaunt in the face and his hair is now grey, but it’s him. He’s wearing jeans and a flannelette shirt and has rough stubble on his chin.

“D-Dad?”

“It’s me, Meadow.”

My feet move me forward without thought, closing the distance between us. He cups my face in his large hand, stroking my cheek with his thumb. I close my eyes, memories appearing like a kaleidoscope of colours. He pulls me in close and wraps his arms around my shoulders as I bury my head into his chest.

“I am so sorry, Kinsley. I tried — I promise I never stopped trying to get back to you.”

“They’re gone, Daddy,” I sob. “Kyle, Mum and now Jesse.”