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You Don’t Love Him, But We Were Happy Together—Shall We Try Starting Over, Would That Be Okay?

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You dont love him, and we had a good run. Shall we try for a fresh start, hmm?

We got divorced three years ago, and really, it was all rather civilisedno dramatic flinging of teapots or shouting in the garden. As we put in the official statement: irreconcilable personalities. Our daughter at first thought it was just a bit of a row and that Dad was off on a lengthy trip.

Weekends were something she looked forward totheyd spend time together and when they got back in the evening, wed share dinner. Robert would make his exit while Emily took ages saying goodbye, waving from the window to supervise Dads departure as though he might vanish into thin air.

Last week, Emily turned six. Over this past year, she and Robert havent seen much of each other. Two reasons, really. Robert had met a new woman and wasnt free for every weekend, and I had, well, found somebody myself. His names Danielwe bumped into each other quite literally while trailing behind a walking tour in Richmond Park. Emily and I lagged behind, Daniel was busy admiring squirrels and completely lost the group. We caught up eventually, exchanged numbers with all the enthusiasm of people desperate for adult conversation, and, well, the rest is history.

Compared to Robert, Daniel is a man of few words but impeccable reliability. Nothing theatrical, no lofty promises. If Daniel says hell do something, you can bet your last pound hell deliver. There were, lets say, frequent mix-ups and tardiness with Robert. Probably why we split up in the first placehis idea of commitment was more along the lines of weather permitting.

Both Robert and Daniel were invited to Emilys birthday party. Im not going to lie, I was a bit jittery about how theyd get along in mixed company. Emily, of course, was counting the minutes to her dads arrival, but she and Daniel were perfectly comfortable around each other too.

Everyone showed up on timeapart from my ex. Emily insisted that we should wait, so I filled the awkward silence with embarrassing family anecdotes and mild gossip about Mrs Jenkins new fence.

Then, finallyDad arrived! Brandishing a huge box wrapped so well I considered using him for Christmas, and for me, a ridiculously large bouquet, which I tried not to look too pleased about. Daniel introduced himself, and Robert, as if the last three years hadnt happened, instantly assumed command, rearranging chairs and supervising the wine pouring. It was pure vintage Robertthe host with most (and least boundaries).

Emily was glued to her dads side, and Daniel, watching all this, was obviously the odd man out, despite my best attempts to keep him involved.

Eventually, Daniel excused himself with some pressing work hed brought home (critical business, he murmured, as if he actually liked his job) and left politely.

Once he was out the door, Robert seemed to grow even more relaxed. While we were in the kitchen prepping the cake, I asked him to tone it down. He suddenly blurted out:
You dont really love him, and you and Iwe were good together. Dare we hit reset?

I was a bit thunderstruck. But then
No, darling. Its not what I want. You and I arent right; all we really share is Emily. Lets just leave it at that. Im glad youre there for her, and she waits for you, but Im not waitingnot after you started seeing someone else.
He waved that off, Thats different, just a bit of fun, its not everlasting
Then perhaps its time you found someone you want more than a fling with, dont you think?

The guests began making their exits. Robert lingered, helped me with the washing-up and tucked Emily in, obviously hoping Id ask him to stay over. Realising I wouldnt, he didnt make it awkward; he thanked me for the chat, kissed my cheek, and ambled off.

I rang Daniel and asked if the three of us could go on a picnic the next day. He was over the moona proper child at Christmaspromising to postpone everything and collect us at nine, sharp.

At precisely nine, our doorbell rang, and Emily squealed: Hooray! Birthdaycontinued! We spent a marvellous day outdoors, just the three of us. When we got home, I asked Emily:
Emily, how would you feel about Daniel moving in with us?
She looked dreadfully serious and said,
Well, Mum, you always wait for him so if he moves in, youd get to see him every day.

And, just like that, the world felt a tad lighter.

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You Don’t Love Him, But We Were Happy Together—Shall We Try Starting Over, Would That Be Okay?