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Being left in charge of the girls was daunting, but could Paul find a way to win their trust?

- Jane Coggins

Look, girls!’ cried Judith, gazing out of the window. ‘Paul’s here!’‘Are we going out?’ Sophie asked.

‘No,’ said Judith. ‘Remember, Mummy’s going out, and Paul’s going to look after you.’

‘Oh,’ said Jenny, frowning at her sister as Judith went to let him in.

‘I’m not sure this is going to work,’ said Paul, nervously stepping inside.

‘Of course it is!’ Judith said. ‘The girls will enjoy it. They’ve only spent time with you while I’ve been here too. If you’re with them on your own, they’ll start to see you more as part of the family.’

Paul sighed. Sophie and Jenny seemed to be having difficulty accepting him as their mum’s new partner. How on earth would a whole afternoon go, with just him?

‘They need to get to know you better,’ Judith said, as he followed her inside.

‘Hello, Sophie and Jenny!’ Paul said, brightly.

They looked up. Sophie smiled. Jenny said hello. Then they went back to playing.

Paul looked at Judith, who beamed encouragingly. He sat beside Sophie. ‘Who’s this?’ he asked, picking up a doll.

‘Barbie, of course. You’ve woken her up now.’

‘Oh, sorry!’ Paul said, moving away.

‘Cup of tea?’ Judith asked.

‘Lovely. I’ll make it!’ he said, rushing to the kitchen.

‘I don’t know how to be with them!’ he told Judith, when she joined him.