“After three years?”

“It appears he claims he only recently learned the letters existed.”

For several seconds I couldn’t speak.

I imagined Callum reading my pregnancy report for the first time, then looking at the dates and wondering which child he had failed to meet first.

“Do we have to see him?” I asked.

“No.

We can ask for a written explanation and proceed formally.

You don’t have to expose yourself or the children to a surprise confrontation.”