Page 131 of Pelvic Flaws

“Please Daddy,” Savannah cried. “Let’s go and watch Charlie play soccer.”

I kissed the end of her nose. “Maybe sweetness. Okay, I’ll see you around guys.”

“Dex are you sure everything is okay?” Isaac asked, standing up to face me and glancing to the door.

“Yeah sure. I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

With each of the kids shouting goodbye, I took my daughter and got the hell outta there.

Katie

The kids and I had moved from the dining table to the sofa and armchairs, deciding to eat desert later while we watched a film. Also, Dex had been upstairs with Savannah for some time, and hadn’t shown any sign of returning just yet, so it was a comfier place to wait, knowing he could be awhile.

The thought of him up there made me smile, remembering when my own kids had gone through the phase of needing to poo and then spending ages sitting on the loo and chatting, rather than getting on with the job in hand.

In fact, I actually had to smile a lot about Dex and Savannah. Despite what he might think, she already thought he hung the moon. The way she gazed at him when he spoke, whether it be to her or anyone else, was a beautiful sight. He’d been brilliant with her and it was another thing to add to all of his wonderful plus points.

“Are you all okay if Dex stays tonight?” I asked, nonchalantly fluffing up the cushion on the armchair.

“Where’s he going to sleep?” Charlie asked.

Annie groaned and threw a Jaffa Cake at him. “Don’t be such a swede, where do you think he’s going to sleep?”

Charlie shrugged, popping Annie’s missile in his mouth, and I suddenly lost my nerve.

“It’s fine,” I said, clearing my throat. “It was just an idea. No problem.”

“Mum,” Isaac sighed. “It’s okay.” He turned to Charlie. “Dex will sleep in mum’s bed and Savannah can sleep in mine.”

“In Mum’s bed?”

“Yes, squirt, in Mum’s bed.”

Charlie looked from Annie to Isaac and then to me and screwed up his nose. “So where will you sleep, Mum?”

“Charlie!” Annie cried. “Really?”

“What?” he asked, as he brushed his hair away from his eyes.

“She’s going to sleep in her bed with Dex. Okay?” Annie leaned forward and widened her eyes, willing him to understand.

“But if Savannah sleeps in your bed, where are you going to sleep?”

Isaac rolled his eyes. “The sofa, or maybe a friend’s house.”

“Which friend?”

Annie and I burst out laughing as Isaac groaned. As we waited for his response, the doorbell rang and I escaped to answer it.

Opening it up I was surprised to see Carl on my doorstep, an overnight bag slung over his shoulder and a pouty look that once upon a time, would have made me melt.

“Hey,” I said. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi Katie. I kind of need a favor.” He nodded his head sideways, indicating his bag.

“I’m sorry, Carl. I can’t, it’s not a good time. Dex and his little girl are here and are staying over.”

He let out a frustrated breath and looked up at the sky.

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