Her mom brought her over one Friday evening, and while Jessie took her things up to her room, my ex and I sat talking about how Jessie was getting on at school, and other general parenting matters. She also said that she would collect Jessie back from me at about 7pm on the Sunday evening. "Are you taking her shopping tomorrow?" she asked, and I said that we had in fact planned that, when Jessie and I had spoken on the phone the previous day.

"Ah." she said, "That explains it." Then went on to say that Jessie was hoping that I would allow one of her school friends to join her, and then possible have a sleepover on the Saturday night.

"It's all arranged with the other girls' mom," she added, "Assuming you agree. All you will need to do is ring her mom and confirm it." I said that I didn't mind, and Jessie caught the end of the conversation as she came back into the room.

"Aw thanks dad." she said, giving me a big hug.

"I can tell when I am not wanted," said my ex, with a smile, "I'm off then, and will see you Sunday." She gave Jessie a quick kiss, gave me a wave and then left, leaving Jessie and me to our own devices.

We phoned for a pizza, and then sat chatting till it arrived.

"Can I ask you something Dad?" she asked, adding "But you MUST promise NOT to tell mom that I have asked you."

"You know that I can't promise that Princess," I replied, then seeing the disappointment in her face, added "Why not ask me, and if I think it is something WE need to talk to mom about then I'll stop you before you get in too deep."

"Oh no," she said, her face in a panic," I already asked mom. She said it was dirty and sent me to my room for the night, and threatened to ground me for a week if I EVER mentioned it again."

"Oh," I replied, "That puts a different light on it. Okay. Ask me, and I won't tell your mom as you have already been in trouble, but I can't promise that I will answer." She smiled at me, the relief evident on her face. It was obviously something that was troubling her.

"One of my girl friends at school wants to know what a hand job is," she said, blushing slightly, "She has no one at home that she can ask so, when she asked me, I said that I would find out, because mom and you always seem to know everything." ......(cont)