Page 133 of Playing the Game

“Maybe I can find a place nearby,” she explained. “We may not be together anymore.”

She turned to Jonas.

“And best of luck with this one,” she continued. “I can already tell you’ve had a better influence on him that I ever did.”

Jonas had no idea how to respond to that.

“Thank you.”

“I want Olive to have you in her life,” Jen said, turning to Adam. “Trying to go it alone wasn’t fair to her. She needs her dad.”

Poor Adam looked as though he’d had a bucket of cold water poured on him. He sat and stared at Jen.

“Are you being serious?”

“Of course I am,” she replied. “I might have had a wobble but I’m still me. We’ve never tried to hurt each other before. I’m not about to start now.”

“Don’t let money be a worry,” he said. “I can help with that. Then when you’re ready to go back to work, I’ll fund it. A shop maybe? Whatever you need.”

Jen chuckled. “We can iron out the details later.”

“Thank you, Jen. I don’t know what to say.”

“I’ll remind you of that when you want to take this one on holiday and you have a sassy little girl accompanying you. Remember, they don’t stay this cute for long.”

Adam wiped his eyes. “She’ll always be cute.”

“Are you ready for this?” Jen said to Jonas. “I’m sorry to put you on the spot. I think I have a right to know.”

Wow she had come back stronger than Adam had described.

“It’s fine with me,” Jonas piped up. “My teenage sister is hopefully coming to live with me next year.”

“Amazing. We have a built-in babysitter.”

After being solo for quite some time, Jonas marvelled at how many “we’s” he’d joined recently. He liked it.

Olive let out a cry.

“Shit. It’s time she had a bottle,” Adam said.

Jen went to get up but Adam took Olive from her. “Allow me.”

He held his daughter tight as he went out of the room. That left Jonas and Jen. Alone for the first time.

Jen let out a breath. “That was a bit of a word salad. You’ve no idea how many times I’ve rehearsed that on the train.”

“I’m sorry that things didn’t work out for you and Adam,” Jonas said.

“Are you?” Jen replied.

He must have looked shocked as she burst into laughter.

“Relax. I’m only kidding,” she continued. “Adam and I were happy for a time. We’re too different. I accepted that a year ago. Despite what he tells you, he lives for football. Then I suppose you do too.”

Jonas nodded. “Pretty much.”

“There’s one thing we have to deal with.”