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“And you can meet the kids.”

“Since we’re now siblings?” She didn’t miss a beat. “And I think Dad could do with a cup of tea, Stewart.”

Oh? So she was running the house now? And where was Jean?

“Jean’s still out,” she filled in, like she’d read my mind.

My life had been simple. Now everything had tripled up. Family. Kids. Commitments. Had I signed up for all this? Nope.

Did I secretly love it? Did I love the fact that Reuben went inside, coming back with two kids and his car keys swirling around his fingers? Absolutely.

“Kids, this is Constance. She’s Dylan’s kid.”

“Stranger danger,” Jasmine piped up, staring at poor Constance, who actually laughed.

“I am a stranger,” she said, nodding at Jasmine. “But we can fix that, can’t we? I know your granddad. He’ll vouch for me.”

“Granddad is not a stranger.” Jasmine pouted.

“No, he’s not. I’m Constance.” She sat down on her haunches and reached out her hand. “Now we shake hands. Then maybe one day, we’ll be friends. I’ll check with your granddad if he approves of that.”

Good job, Constance. I was impressed. Wildly so, as she smiled sweetly and got into my son’s car.

Leaving me once again…

Alone.

Damn it.

Space. I’d promised him space. But this was a gated community, not Peckham, and leaving my car with the windows slightly ajar was probably safe. I threw the mats on the stairs, closed my front door and took the few steps over to Dylan’s with a smile on my face.

Like I was a naughty child.

I wasn’t sure I was breaking any rules here. Or maybe I was breaking all of them.

I had a key.Fuck the rules.I almost blushed thinking that. What had I become?

“Stewart!” Marmie greeted me, crawling on his knees from under the table. “You have to be quiet. Daddy’s on a call.”

And Phinney was peeking out from under the table too. I waved, motioned to the kitchen as Dylan gave me a little smile. A grateful one. I hoped.

“Come,” I whispered, relief flooding through me as the boys followed.

“I’m dry,” Marmie whispered. “I went to the toilet and everything. But there are wet pants on the floor. I didn’t know where to put them.”

“Well done,” I said, hoping it was the right thing to say. “Do you think…”

Think, Stewart.Four small eyes stared at me like I had all the answers.

“Snacks,” I said, grasping for something. Tea. Food. Simple things.

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

Laughter. Even a small smile from Phinney.

“No.” Marmie grinned. “We’re kids.”

“Ah. I thought you were grown-ups.”