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Etienne: When do we get to meet her?

Walker: About time you got laid.

Fox remembered his conversation about Erin in the office, which was now obviously hot gossip with the girls. Little did they know it was one of their own he was occupied with.

Fox: Definitely just a Christmas tree.

He took a photo and sent it to the group. The tree was now upright and adorned – Reggie and George style – with plastic motorbikes, a few toy cars, some furry pom poms they had made at school the year before and, strangely, a few pairs of the boys’ underpants.

Alex: Love it.

Etienne: Guess the boys got to decorate this year.

Fox: How could you tell?!

Alex: Beer tomorrow after the rugby? I’ll be there with Jayden.

Fox: You’re on. See you there.

Putting the phone down, he sat himself on the sofa between Reggie and George, slinging his arms back behind both of them, as they watched their film of the evening: Finding Nemo.

‘This film’s like us,’ Reggie said suddenly. ‘It’s just the daddy fish and Nemo.’

‘Where’s the mummy fish?’ George asked, sucking his thumb.

‘She’s dead, silly.’ Fox felt the familiar stab in his heart at the casual way that Reggie could talk about a mother dying. Though he supposed Reggie couldn’t really remember his mum, which was a sad fact. Because at least Fox had his memories of good times to get him through when he was missing Meg.

‘Oh,’ George replied. ‘Like our mum.’

Fox noticed how George was similarly matter of fact – death was not big news to his boys, it was something they’d grown up with. This was their norm. Fox felt amazed and anxious at the same time. Did they feel like they were missing out, or like there was a permanent gap in their lives? A strap of anxiety tightened around his chest.

‘Nemo does all right, though, doesn’t he, with just a dad?’ Fox asked, wanting their reassurance that he was enough.

‘Nemo’s dad rocks,’ Reggie said. ‘He never gives up on Nemo.’

‘Of course he doesn’t,’ Fox said, squeezing both boys in closer to his sides. ‘Daddies are always there for their children. I’m always here if you need anything.’

He dropped a kiss on each of their heads and breathed in the outdoorsy smell of their hair, hoping above anything that they knew how much he loved them, with a fierceness that would never change.

‘Daddy,’ George said, turning to look up at him and taking his thumb from his mouth. His eyes were wide and he obviously had something important to say. Fox braced himself. ‘I need some chocolate.’

Chapter Forty-Five

Robyn

Fox’s signature knock, the one that she’d got used to, was an informal kind of rat-a-tat-tat. Robyn opened the door, anticipation making her stomach fizz. He smiled at her, his messy quiff extra messy. His stubble was weekend long and he looked utterly edible. She had to force herself to step aside to let him in rather than grind against him right there in the doorway. He hurried in and she shut the door against the cold, letting him into her lamp-lit sanctuary.

‘What’s the special treat?’ Fox asked expectantly, throwing his coat on the back of the chair. She’d messaged him that morning, telling him to come over at 9 p.m. if he wanted a special treat that night, and here he was, looking hopeful and happy with the baby monitor in one hand, and a bottle of wine in the other. He placed both down on the coffee table beside the sofa.

‘I’ve planned something a bit different tonight,’ she said, choosing her words carefully. ‘It’s not a game. It’s more of an experience.’

‘Sounds interesting,’ Fox said, rubbing his hands together.

‘You’ll need to take off a lot more than that for the full benefits.’ She nodded at his discarded coat.

He cocked an eyebrow at her. ‘And what will you be wearing?’

‘Nothing at all.’ She smiled. She’d been thinking about this all day and she just hoped he liked it. ‘So, clothes off, and then I’ll show you.’