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‘Sounds like more than a fair deal.’ This time, Liv’s smile felt genuine.

* * *

Callum rinsed the last of the breakfast plates before handing it to Liv to dry. Despite her complaints, he’d not only cooked but cleaned as well. And, unlike at home, he’d enjoyed the time in Liv’s kitchen, cooking for her while she sipped her coffee at the table, and bumping elbows and laughing with her as they cleaned up. The simple, easy domesticity and back-and-forth between them felt so natural that it took almost no effort. Though it was something he’d never experienced with another woman — especially not his ex who hadn’t liked to get her hands dirty and avoided chores as much as possible — it felt oddly familiar.

He’d already made it halfway to the house of the family brave enough to host a sleepover with half a dozen little girls before it hit him. The feeling with Liv was familiar because he’d seen the same interactions hundreds, if not thousands, of times before: it was how his parents were around each other. The realisation slammed into him with such force that, for a moment, it eclipsed everything else. He’d known he was attracted to Liv, but now he was thinking there was a lot more than physical attraction pulling him towards her. The thought that maybe, just maybe, there was the potential for something more, teased the edges of his mind.

The impatient honk of a car behind him made him jump, and look up. The traffic lights were burning bright green, and he shoved the car into first gear, and waved an apology to the driver behind. He shook his head as he pulled away; he was being silly, focussing so much on a few minutes in the kitchen when he had more important things to think about. Like Sarah.

She threw herself at him as the door opened. ‘Hi Sarey-fairy, did you have a good time?’

‘It was awesome sauce! We had pizza and chips and chocolate, and we all sang to Frozen, and then we made fairy cakes. With magical sprinkles that make your tongue fizz and pop!’

‘They sound great.’ Callum ruffled her hair. ‘Did you make one for me?’

‘I made lots!’

‘I look forward to them.’ He accepted Sarah’s backpack and bag of cakes from her friend’s tired-looking mum with a brief thanks, and scooped Sarah up.

‘Ewww. You smell bad.’

‘I know, I need a shower.’

‘Why didn’t you shower at home?’

‘I . . . um . . . had a patient who needed me to keep an eye on them. I’ve not been home yet.’

‘Who?’

Crap! He concentrated on helping Sarah into her booster seat, hoping she’d forget. Some hope.

‘Who was poorly, Daddy? Was it one of my friends?’

‘Liv,’ he admitted reluctantly. ‘Did you stay up very late?’

‘Yup!’ She grinned happily. ‘Why is Liv poorly? Is she OK? I like Liv. I don’t want her to be poorly.’

‘She’s not poorly, poorly.’ Callum climbed into the driver’s seat. ‘She just banged her head.’

‘Oh no.’ She fell quiet for a few seconds. ‘Daddeeeey?’

Callum winced, recognising the tone that he was almost always powerless to resist. ‘Yes, munchkin.’

‘I think we should go see Livvy.’

‘We’re going home. She’s probably busy. Or having a rest.’

‘But what if she’s not?’

‘She probably is. And you did say I smelled and needed a shower.’

‘Pleeeease Daddeeeey. I want to go see Livvy and give her a magic cake. I have to. I really like her and I don’t want her to be sad and alone if she feels poorly. She looked after me when I was poorly, and I want to give her a magic cake. Please, please, please, please, please!’

‘OK, OK.’ Callum rubbed his eyes tiredly. ‘But if she doesn’t answer, we’ll leave the cake by the front door and not disturb her, OK?’

‘OK. But she’s going to be awake.’

‘You sound very sure.’ Callum watched her in the rear-view mirror.