Isabelle’s POV

After the open day ended and the last of the parents cleared the courtyard, I sat alone in the front passenger seat of my car, keys idle in the ignition, staring at the school gate Nathan had just disappeared behind.

He was inside now—safe, joyful, chatting away with his friends, his small hands still sticky from the science station where they’d made slime in little plastic tubs.

He hadn’t let go of Damion’s hand for the better part of an hour.

And Damion… he ...