I was surprised to see how the ex was upset when I told him about the arrangements I’d made. I’m dividing stuff between us, I don’t really have to but I’m giving away things I don’t need and so I have to ask questions and see if he’s okay with the way I arranged it or if he wants me to change it. Just the fact that I had to ask these questions caused sadness and hurt on his face and when I asked him what was wrong he turned away and said: ‘nothing…’

I guess it only just now starts to dawn on him, the realisation that something is becoming so final while it had been final to him for a couple of years already or at least he thought it was. I’ve been through all of that the moment he told me about his decision at the time. I’m only doing what is necessary to get those parts of my life back that I’ve lost along the line, that I’ve given up on when I was told it wasn’t important enough to keep.

So my approach is a different kind, I try to keep things in balance without getting too emotional. It’s almost like the roles are swapped… perhaps he did learn something over the years or is no longer afraid to show true feelings. I don’t know… I know I was surprised to see emotions that I’ve not seen before. Some things are not easy for me either but I’m looking ahead and see what is waiting for me at the horizon: a clean slate, a new beginning.