My husband came home and said, “I’m in love with another woman, but I still love you, so I’ll just live in both houses” — I thought he was joking until he began packing, so I taught him a lesson he never expected from me.

“Is Daddy fixing his?”

“He has started.

It may take a long time.”

Kieran unfolded the paper boat.

Callum had written a message inside.

I am sorry I made you carry grown-up secrets.

“Do I have to forgive him today?” Kieran asked.

“No.

You only have to be five.”

He wrapped both arms around my neck.

I held him until his breathing softened.

A week later, Vivian came to the door with a small wooden box.

“I brought Kieran’s birthday money,”

she said.

“Callum gave some of it to me months ago and claimed it was repayment for a holiday.”

I did not invite her in immediately.

“Why didn’t you question money taken from a child’s account?”

“I wanted my son’s story to be true.”

“And now?”

“Now I know loving him does not require lying for him.”

Kieran appeared behind me.

“Grandma, did you say Mum made Daddy leave?”