Ruby’s joyous laughter rang through the park, green eyes bright with happiness. She pumped her legs vigorously, desperate to go higher with each stroke of the swing.

“Look Mum, look,” she cried. “I’m going to touch the sky!”

Ali watched, a smile playing on her face, as her daughter played. “So I can see,” she said, opening up the camera on her phone to capture the moment.

High above birds soared in the sky; it was a beautiful day with no clouds in sight, and the sun beamed down upon them. Ali sighed, momentarily closing her eyes to enjoy the sun’s warm kiss on her face.

The squeaking of the gate signalled a newcomer to the park. Ali opened her eyes and looked over to see a man walking towards her, his dark blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight.

Ali felt her lips pull back into a smile. “Fancy seeing you here, eh?”

The man shrugged and returned her grin. “I heard there was a pretty lady sitting in the park,” he replied.

Ali’s cheeks flushed pink at the compliment, and biting her lip she looked away back towards Ruby, who was watching them from the swing.

The man sat down beside her, reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“You okay?” he asked.

Ali, still focused on Ruby, sighed, nodded. “Yeah,” she said. “Just a bit nervous, I guess. Today’s a big step for me, Dan, a big step for us.” She gestured her head slightly towards Ruby.

“It’s a big day for me too.”

Ruby had slowed her swing now, her curious gaze still fixed on her mother and the strange man sitting next to her. Ali could just about make the slight frown at her brow.

“Ready then?”

Dan nodded, and taking a deep breath Ali called her daughter over.

Ruby approached them with apprehension, though her body visibly relaxed at her mum’s encouraging smile.

“It’s okay, Rubes,” Ali placated, holding out her hand and drawing her close. “Mummy just wants you to meet her - er - friend. You know, the one I talked about. This is Daniel.”

“Hi Ruby.”

Ruby glanced at Dan, who was smiling at her with a slight wave, before burying herself into the crook of her mother’s arm.

She peeped up at him shyly. “Hello,” she whispered, before turning her head away again.

Ali pressed a kiss on her daughter’s auburn hair, running a comforting hand across her back as she did.

“Come on, sweetie,” she reassured. “There’s no need to be shy.” Ruby snuggled in even more.

Ali glanced over at Dan. Maybe this hadn’t been a good idea.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about you, Ruby,” Dan said, his tone kind and brown eyes patient. “It’s great to finally meet you!”

Ruby shot him a small smile.

“I saw you the swings,” Dan continued, encouraged by Ruby’s growing confidence. “You looked like you were going really high! I don’t think I could ever swing like that.”

“They’re my favourite,” Ruby explained, shooting him a toothy grin.

“They were my favourite too when I was your age.”

Ali could sense that Ruby, while still hesitant, was starting to come round, and this allowed her to relax.

“Shall we perhaps go for a walk?” She suggested. “Maybe even grab a coffee?”

“That sounds like a great idea,” Dan agreed. “What do you think Ruby? We can get you an ice cream too!”

Ruby’s green eyes immediately lit up, and she nodded her head eagerly. Ali shot Dan an exasperated look over Ruby’s head, to which he just shot her a grin and shrugged.

“Just this once,” Ali conceded as she guided Ruby out of the park. “Call it Dan’s treat.”

“Thank you, Dan,” Ruby said, as she skipped on ahead.

Ali watched Ruby go, before catching Dan’s eye.

“So bribery and corruption is how you plan to win Ruby over then?” she grinned, shaking her head.

“Of course,” Dan replied, sneaking a quick kiss, a wolfish smile playing around his mouth. “If she’s anything like you, it’ll work a treat.”