You dont love him, and we were happy together. Shall we try and start over, what do you think?
We divorced three years ago, quietly and without much fuss, as we said in our statement were just not compatible. At first, our daughter thought it was just a row, and that dad had gone away for a bit. On weekends, they had a wonderful time together; when they’d come back in the evening, wed sit down for supper as a family before David left, and Sophie would linger, saying goodbye for ages at the window, watching out for her dad
Last week my daughter turned six. For the past year, she and David hadnt seen much of each other. There were two reasons for that. David met someone and couldnt spend every weekend with Sophie anymore, and I had met someone too. Edward and I met during a walk at Sherwood Forest Nature Reserve. Sophie and I had fallen behind the group, and Edward was wandering about, not realising hed ended up on his own. Eventually, we caught up to the guide and started chatting, swapped numbers, and got on rather well.
Compared to David, Edward was a quiet man, though you always felt you could trust what he said. He never made empty promises. Throughout our friendship, he never forgot anything, never once turned up late. If Edward said hed do something, he did it. With David, it had always been a problem we clashed over his forgetfulness, and that lack of commitment, really, was why we went our separate ways
Both David and Edward were invited to Sophies birthday party. I was worried about how theyd get along, and what the atmosphere might be like. Sophie, of course, was looking forward to seeing her dad, although she and Edward got along very well.
All the guests were right on time; only my ex turned up late. Sophie begged us to wait for her father, so I had to fill the time with old stories and a bit of friendly gossip.
Finally, my ex-husband arrived! He came bearing a large, beautifully wrapped present for Sophie and a huge bouquet of flowers for me. I felt a little flustered. Edward introduced himself, and David, as though three years hadn’t passed since our split, immediately started acting as master of the house settling guests in, pouring drinks, all the familiar behaviour from the good old days.
Sophie didnt leave his side, and Edward, seeing it all unfold, clearly felt out of place, despite my efforts to make him feel included.
After a while, Edward made his excuses, blaming urgent work hed brought home, and said goodbye.
After he left, David became even more relaxed. When we went into the kitchen for cake, I asked him to settle down a bit, and thats when my ex suddenly said:
You dont love him, and we were happy together. Shall we try again from scratch?
I was stopped in my tracks for a moment, but then I replied
No, love, I dont think so. You and I just dont work out. Were connected only by Sophie, so lets leave it at that. Im glad you care for her, and she loves seeing you, but Ive moved on, especially after you started seeing someone else.
Oh, thats different, its just physical, not something that lasts not for the soul. I wont spend my life with her.
All the more reason to find someone youd want a real, lasting relationship with.
The guests began to drift home. David was the last to leave, helping me tidy the kitchen, putting Sophie to bed, all the while hoping Id ask him to stay the night. When it was clear that invitation wasnt coming, he didnt make a fuss; he thanked me for the evening, gave me a peck on the cheek, and said goodbye
That night, I called Edward and asked if he fancied a picnic tomorrow? Edward was delighted, sounding almost like a boy, and assured me hed put work to one side and pick me and Sophie up at nine.
At precisely nine the next morning, the doorbell rang, and Sophie shouted, Hooray! Birthday part two! The three of us had a brilliant day outdoors. When we came home, I asked my daughter:
Sophie, would you mind if Edward came to live with us?
She looked at me seriously and replied:
Youre always waiting for him, so this way youd see him every daySophie blinked, then her face lit up as she flung her arms around Edwards waist. If he brings cake and stories and always keeps his promises, that would be lovely! She said it loud enough for Edward to hear, and his cheeks flushed with happiness.
I hugged them both, and for the first time in ages, I felt truly at peace. We curled up together on the sofa, sunlight spilling through the curtains, laughter filling the room. There was no need to look back anymore. Sophie belonged to both her parents, in her own way; and as for mewell, my heart had finally found its home.
