That the crack wasn’t coming.
It was already here.
And we hadn’t even noticed it forming.
CHAPTER FIVE
DAN
The alarm goes off at 5:58 a.m.
I’m awake before it vibrates.
For a moment I don’t know why. Then it hits me.
Six.
I told Emma I’d do the morning.
I lie there, staring at the ceiling, listening.
The house is quiet in that fragile way that means it won’t be for long. Ruby makes a small snuffling sound in the Moses basket. Emma shifts beside her, instinctively, even in sleep.
She looks wrecked.
Even in the dim light I can see it. The shadows under her eyes. The way her body curls around Ruby like she’s bracing against something.
Guilt creeps in.
Right. Morning. I’ve got this.
I slide out of bed carefully, avoiding the floorboard. Small win. No creak.
In the kitchen, it feels almost peaceful. I stand there for a second, absurdly proud of myself.
Kettle on. Coffee first. Then breakfast.
Oscar appears before the kettle’s finished boiling.
“Where’s Mum?”
“She’s sleeping,” I say firmly. “I’m on duty.”
He looks unconvinced. “Why?”
“Because I said I would be.”
He shrugs like that’s not a real reason and opens the cupboard. “There’s no Coco Pops.”
“There are Weetabix.”
He stares at me like I’ve suggested gravel.
Sophie wanders in next, hair tangled, dragging her unicorn blanket behind her.
“I need my yellow top,” she says.
My brain blanks.
