Well Holly, your misposting was a bonus for me in the end! Thanks for your insights. I have been at this for a long time and I am heartily sick of it all!! I have had periods of dark up until 6 months and it really makes no difference to H.
As you said though we have also spent a lot of time together at different stages and I'm sure H won't tell ow if he does stuff for me but I'm equally sure she will get upset when he has so many times he is with D at that involves me, like swimming. I think I need to re-read your post (the 2nd one) a few more times.
I was particularly interested in your comment that being with ow is like being alone. I still have this notion that it's a bed of roses. Why else do you agree to live together if it's not?