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“People can be mean,” I agreed. “But you liked school. When you lived here, you really liked it.”

“I don’t remember that,” he said. So sincere. So handsome.

I reached out and stroked his hair. He crawled onto my lap.

The peace in me that engulfed this place when the children were in it was a drug I never wanted to get out of my system.

“You did,” Constance said, fiddling with the towel on her head, then pulling it off and throwing it on the floor. “You were good at it too. Got really good grades.”

“I was only little.” Marmie pouted.

“Yes,” I agreed, “but you were good. And maybe we can see if someone from school wants to come over and hang out?”

“They’ll only hate me. I speak funny, and I wet myself. It’s not good, Daddy.”

“You speak great,” I said reassuringly.

“That’s what Mommy says, and she lies.”

Oh God.

“It’s only our first day here, and we’ve all become so serious,” I said. Mostly me. “So, I was thinking…”

I had no thoughts. No plans.

“Maybe we can all go to the park?”

“I’m going out,” Constance said, getting up.Please don’t leave.“I’ll text you later.”

“Where are you going?”

Constance was giving me the evil eye. “I have a bank card. I’ve lived in London all my life. I’m getting the Tube to Sarah’s, and…we’ll see. I’m sixteen.”

“I know you are.”

“And I have a driving licence.”

“Not here, you don’t.” Stern father. Go me.

“I know.” She laughed. “I just love seeing you get mad. You’re too easy, Dad. Oh and by the way? I was thinking, Marmie’s got his room, and Phinney has the nursery, but I thought maybe Phinney can have my room and I will move downstairs. I could have my own flat and be out of your hair. You just have to move all your stuff.”

“And where will I go?”

“You have a perfectly nice bedroom upstairs. It’s not like you need the house and the flat.”

“Constance.” I sighed.

“You can’t sleep down there and listen out for the boys. I’m not the night nanny.”

“You’re not,” I agreed. Oh, hell.

“Stewart will help you. And where is Jean?”

Actually, wherewasJean? And I was supposed to have…

Fuck.

“Marmie!” I said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “Want to help me have a Teams meeting? You can choose the background.”