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We got back from the registry office to find the keypad on the townhouse door had been changed.
Julian came up a step behind us. Lily and I were standing in the hallway.
"Why didn't you go in?"
"The code's been changed," I said.
As I said it, the door opened from the inside.
Victoria was wearing an apron. She smiled apologetically.
"You're back! I've just been making Julian a pot of soup — oh, Pearl." She gave a small embarrassed wave. "Don't read anything into it, Julian's been so busy lately, I just wanted to do something helpful."
She glanced at the keypad.
"Oh, I'm so sorry — I always forget the code, so Julian changed it to my birthday. Let me change it back right now."
She didn't move.
She just watched me, and the pleasure in her eyes was impossible to hide.
"Daddy!"
A small figure launched itself at Julian's legs.
Victoria sprang forward and clapped a hand over Hannah's mouth. Wide-eyed, apologetic.
"Hannah, sweetheart — remember what Mummy said? It's Mr Ashford."
Julian glanced at me, looking for a reaction.
I didn't give him one.
Lily's room had changed. Hannah's toys and clothes were stacked along the shelves, on the desk, across the floor.
Victoria bit her lip.
"Hannah sometimes sleeps over here — I hope that's okay—"
Lily's small hand found mine and tightened.
"Mummy," she said quietly. "I can use the other room."
Something tightened in my chest.
Once, she would have burst into tears at the sight of this — screaming that Daddy was hers alone. Julian would have sighed and told me I wasn't managing her well enough. But there was no screaming now. She just stood there looking at her changed room, calm and small, learning the lesson that only the ones who are already loved get to demand things.
Julian's brow creased.
Victoria quickly gathered her things. Hannah, tearful, tugged Julian's sleeve.
"Daddy — will you walk us to the car?"
Julian hesitated. He looked at me.
I smiled. "You should. Victoria's been here all evening. It's the least you can do."
He started to say something. I turned and went to put the kettle on.
Before he left, Julian said: "Wait for me. We need to talk."
He'd barely been out the door five minutes when my phone buzzed.
Hi Pearl, so sorry to bother you — Hannah's used to Julian reading to her before bed, so he'll be a bit late back tonight. Just so you know. x
There it was. The usual formula. So sorry to bother you. And then whatever she wanted him to do next.
I set the phone down.
"Lily," I called, "let's get you ready for bed."