Page 96 of The Winter of Second Chances
‘Of course I haven’t! What do you take me for?’
‘Do you actually want an answer to that question?’
Max was following her like an obedient Labrador, stopping beside her as she opened each of the shutters on the windows.
‘We need to talk about Christmas.’
‘What?’
The door to the cafe was sticky and she had to wiggle the key and shove hard on the door at the same time to get it open.
‘I want us to have one last family Christmas together,’ said Max. ‘You, me and the boys.’
‘Max, I can’t even think about what I’ll be doing for Christmas right now.’
The door gave and Annie stumbled inside, Max on her heels.
‘Well, you should, it’ll be here before you know it. Oh, this is nice!’ he said, distracted by the cafe. ‘I’ve not been inside before. It’s a bit kitsch for my tastes but—’
‘I really don’t care for your tastes anymore, Max,’ said Annie absently, as she began pulling the chairs down from the tables.
‘Give me one last Christmas, Annie. Please! You’ve lost your faith in me and I completely understand why. But I haven’t given up on you. There’s not another woman like you.’
‘What about Ellie?’
‘I told you, that’s over. She’s history; you’re my future.’
‘For fuck’s sake, Max, where do you get these lines? Have you got shares in a fortune cookie factory?’
‘I can’t stop thinking about that Sunday, you and me...’
‘Try.’
‘We were so hot. It was like we were kids again; remember when we couldn’t keep our hands off each other?’
‘Unfortunately, it wasn’t just me you couldn’t keep your hands off. And if you recall, Max, that Sunday ended with me asking for a divorce and half of all our assets.’
‘I haven’t forgotten.’
‘Well?’
‘Just say you’ll think about Christmas,’ said Max.
This was how he got to her: it wasn’t his smooth moves or his charm, it was his ability to wear her down. Invariably she would say anything just to get him off her back.
‘I’ll think about Christmas if you agree to get a solicitor.’
Max smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Annie repressed a shudder.
‘Have a good day,’ he said.
He headed out for his car, leaving Annie feeling like she needed another shower. Still, at least she could get to her money now. Getting him to agree to her financial terms with regards to selling was going to be a whole other battle. And she was still waiting for John’s verdict on her offer.
Gemma’s car passed Max’s as she pulled into the space he had just left.
‘Was that Max?’ she asked, climbing out.
‘Yes, it was.’
