WH, 2Chiq,
Thanks for helping me understand this - it's a pretty big day in any case, and to have the behaviour switch thrown likes this makes it even harder to 'accept' in some ways.

I really need to hear some understanding voices...

Just got home and found XH here with the kids - they're on school hols still.

Now, he hasn't been near them for over a month, i think. Gets D-ed and immediately turns up back at our house.

He stayed for about 10 mins after i arrived.

He called me by his pet name for me while he was here, and came into another room specifically to say goodbye when he was leaving. Like he's done THAT in the last year!

He even said he would have come to the movies this afternoon with us when S14 told him we were going and asked him to come - but said if only he'd been given more notice he could have rostered on some staff to cover his shift.

Now previously, e.g., in early pursuing days, we would ask and ask for him to come to the movies with us and he'd refuse every time.

Is it time to roll down the shutters or open the door a crack?

Flying blind here.