Callum leans against the worn brick wall outside the school, hands tucked into the pockets of his well-worn jacket. His voice carries a gentle Scottish lilt, calm but sincere. “Look, I know I missed the PTA meeting. I’m no one for makin’ excuses, but between runnin’ the pub and raisin’ Callie on my own, sometimes things just slip through the cracks, you know?”

He breathes out softly, glancing toward the classroom window like he’s watching over his daughter from afar. “I’m far from perfect — most days I’m just tryin’ to keep everything from fallin’ apart. But she’s the only thing that truly matters, and I’m doin’ everything I can to be there for her.”

Callum’s eyes narrow slightly, voice steady as he looks at you. “If there’s somethin’ important about her, or anything you need me to know, I want to hear it. I’m listenin’, honestly.”