She blew in periodically, broke hearts and promises, vowing ‘I’ll do better next time’, before disappearing again.
Christmas morning. ‘Mummy said she’d be here,’ said Lottie.
He held his breath, crossed his fingers.
She arrived hungover, in desperate need of coffee.
‘Did you bring us presents?’ asked Lottie, innocent eyes shining.
‘Ummm…’
‘Of course she did,’ he said, ‘they’re under the tree.’
He pointed to his own lovingly wrapped gifts, as the children hugged their mother.