Page 110 of In at the Deep End

Minutes later, Mum and Zach were ushering Beth out of the house and into the car.

Jamie, meanwhile, was demanding juice. To know where Mummy had gone. To put together his wooden train set.

Matt had to smile.

Three-year-olds don’t stop because adults are grieving.

Actually, it felt good not to have the time to collapse and become overwhelmed.

I need someone to need me right now.

Owen’s day had taken an interesting turn.

His first instinct was to look after Matt, but he knew deep down Matt didn’t need wrapping in cotton wool.

What he needs is support that doesn’t smother him.

Owen could slip into the role of Second Adult, not taking over but simply being there. So when little Jamie asked if they could play dinosaurs, Owen got down on the floor without hesitation.

He glanced up at Matt as he walked in, carrying a snack for Jamie. “Ah, the cavalry arrives.”

Matt flushed. “I’m sorry your afternoon turned into this.”

Owen gazed at Jamie, who was trying to persuade a dinosaur to eat a crayon. “Funny. I seem to remember volunteering.”

Matt laughed.

Then Jamie climbed into Owen’s lap, dragging a book with him.

Owen smiled. “I love reading.” He scooped Jamie into his arms, then sat on the couch, Jamie cuddled up to him. “Now what do we have here? Ooh, what a surprise. A book on dinosaurs.” He read the title aloud. “Not My Dinosaur. Intriguing. It’s a mystery, huh?”

Jamie stabbed at the picture of the T-Rex with his little stubby finger. “Roar!”

He performed what had to be the worst dinosaur impression ever, and Jamie dissolved into hysterical giggles. Another glance in Matt’s direction found him smiling.

Owen chuckled. “You’re impressed, admit it.”

Matt shook his head. “I was just thinking, children are brilliant barometers.”

“How do you mean?”

“They know who’s safe.” He nodded towards Jamie, who’d already curled against Owen’s chest. “He decided that about you in under five minutes.”

Owen looked down at the little boy. “I think that’s more a reflection on Jamie than me.”

“No.” Matt’s smile was warm. “It’s definitely you.”

Owen wasn’t entirely convinced. He gazed at the toddler sprawled across his lap. “Or perhaps he simply recognises quality dinosaur impressions.”

Matt laughed. “Let’s not get carried away.”

Jamie, meanwhile, was impatiently turning the page. “Roar!”

Owen rolled his eyes. “No rest for us dinosaur impersonators.”

There’d been nothing from the hospital apart from a brief text from Babs to say Beth was okay, and the doctors were assessing whether to slow down the labour or stop it altogether.

When he reached the end of the book, Owen closed it. “What would you like to do now?”