I pause in the doorway. He looks so helpless, so vulnerable huddled against the sofa. So broken. That’s my Darren, always the emotional one, whereas I just bottle it all up and then go and thump something or someone.

He raises his head as I enter, his eyes puffy and swollen, red from all the crying I don’t doubt he’s done. Oh Darren that big heart of yours is going to get you in serious trouble one day. It’s come very close to it today.

His eyes beg my forgiveness and looking at his pleading expression I know that Lee was telling the truth – how could I have ever thought otherwise? We might have our problems but neither of us have so much as even looked at another guy since we’ve been together. Why would we when we have all we need in each other?

Dan? He says hesitantly.

‘Yes, baby? His face softens at my use of the endearment.

‘I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.’ The tears well up again.

‘Hush now.’ I close the distance between us and enclose him in my arms.

‘I...just…wanted…Ben…and… Lee…to…be…as…happy…as…we…are.’

‘I know, I know. Lee told me.’ I smooth back a tangled lock of hair and hold him to me until the sobs subside. ‘It’s ok, it’s ok, ssh sweetheart. It’s going to be fine.’

Gradually he quietens down and I gently pull his face up to look at me. ‘Promise me you’ll never ever do anything like this again.’

‘Never I promise. Oh Dan I thought I had lost you.’

I hate myself for what I am about to ask next but I have to know. ‘Just tell me one thing…did you…?’

‘No. no, we didn’t fuck.’

I heave a sigh of relief and ease us both to our feet.

‘Dan, just hold me…please.’ He whispers and I move with him to the sofa where we simply lay and cuddle.

Of course, such behaviour can’t go unpunished, I have a feeling that I am going to be doing some ‘instructing’ of my own. Darren needs to be reminded of where his loyalties lie. But that can wait. For now it is enough just to lay here with him. Back in each others’ arms, where we belong.