Page 81 of Ex in the City

Rowan is wearing black trousers and a white shirt. His hair is neat and I can smell his aftershave from here. Definitely not his usual attire for picking the kids up from school.

‘Erm, I was, I’m not now, though,’ he says, lowering his voice. ‘I actually had a date but Ned’s after-school club is cancelled so…’

‘So leave him with me,’ I insist. I turn to Ned. ‘Hey, Ned, fancy being the director of the play? You get to sit in that cool chair over there, and tell everyone what to do.’

‘Yeah,’ he says excitedly, before running right over there.

‘Nicole, are you sure?’ Rowan says.

‘Yeah, of course,’ I reply. ‘I’ll take them both back to ours, after practice. Just pick them up whenever – you know we love hanging out with them.’

‘Thank you,’ he tells me sincerely. ‘And not just for this, for everything, because I don’t think I ever thanked you properly. I was so hung up on what I was losing, when I thought you were leaving me, that I never appreciated just how huge it was that you actually stuck around to help me clean up the mess I made, and that you’re still around now, for the boys, it means a lot.’

‘I love them,’ I tell him simply. ‘And, despite everything, I care about you too. We’re both doing what it takes, to make this fresh start work for everyone so, go, enjoy your date, let me take care of the kids.’

Rowan steps forward and briefly kisses me on the cheek.

‘She’s got big shoes to fill,’ he tells me with a smile.

‘Size sevens,’ I joke awkwardly.

Rowan laughs and says goodbye.

I head back to the stage, to join Joey and Albi, who pretty much have their dialogue down now.

‘Perfect,’ I tell them.

‘Yeah, absolutely spot on,’ Dylan adds, joining us. ‘Go on, lads, get home. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

Joey and Albi, pleased with themselves, slap each other a high five before heading off.

‘Archie is in the music room, ready for his drum lesson, and I told Rowan we would watch them for a bit this evening – he has a date,’ I explain.

‘Then I’d better do this now,’ Dylan tells me, taking me by the hands, pulling me behind the thick, heavy stage curtains.

Dylan takes my face in his hands and kisses me.

‘Have I told you that I loved you lately?’ he asks me.

‘I think you tell me every time you make eye contact with me,’ I tease. ‘It’s starting to get a bit old.’

‘Really?’ he asks with a smile.

‘Not really,’ I reply. ‘I love it, and I love you too.’

Dylan kisses me again and, as far as backstage kisses go, this is the last sort I ever expected, but the best it can ever be.

I feel so fortunate, every single day, that Dylan and I were given another chance. Sometimes I tell myself that we were meant to be, that this was all predetermined and that everything that has happened since the moment we met was all leading up to this moment, so that we could finally be together. It’s a nice thought, and so romantic, but I don’t think that’s how things really play out. It took work to get us to this point, where we could finally be together, and happy, and that’s not down to fate. I’m so, so proud of Dylan for straightening himself out. He is living proof that it’s always worth trying to do better, and to be better, and that you can always get your life back on track. No person, or relationship, is a write-off if you’re willing to put the effort in to make it work, and you’re never too old to make a change. Be someone adaptable, someone who goes out of their way to find happiness. You will never be younger than you are today, and the past versions of yourself that you look at in the photos may look like they are so much better than you are now, but there is one thing you have that they don’t: experience, and the privilege of growing older. Yes, those days are behind you, but there are so many ahead of you, and who knows what they might hold?

Shake up your life, seek out the person who makes you the happiest, get the stupid tattoo, travel to Paris if it’s what you want.

Oh, and it’s always tops optional – of course.