Page 46 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

CHAPTER 23

“So, how’s it going with Maya?” Heather asked, catching Sam alone in the kitchen. Plates cleared, he’d volunteered to make the teas and coffees after dinner. Rose had laid the large oak dining table, and they’d enjoyed a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings after they’d returned from the beach and freshened up. It felt as if they were in an Enid Blyton novel, his mother was always feeding them. They just needed Timmy the dog.

Joe had sloped off, needing to see to the pub and catch up with Rhianna, but Maya and her children had been included in dinner. Sam’s place had been set beside Maya’s. He knew what his family were doing. He was grateful in some ways, but feared it might appear forced.

“Great.” Sam nodded.

“We’ve been trying to give you some space so you two can bond.” Heather leaned back against the counter while Sam poured hot water into an already warmed teapot.

He raised his eyebrows. “Well, I’m not sure how well it will work as she’s seeing someone.”

Heather fetched the milk from the fridge and filled a jug. “Is she? She hasn’t said anything.”

“It’s a bit new and she doesn’t want to jinx anything.”

Heather nudged Sam and he nearly spilt the coffee he was stirring. “Doesn’t mean you should give up. It just means you have a challenge ahead of you.”

“But she might really like this guy — and he might really like her.”

“It’s early days. Anything can happen. Don’t give up hope, Sam.”

Was Heather especially insightful about these kinds of things, or were his attentions to Maya more obvious than he realised?

“I won’t. But maybe Maya and I are meant to be just friends.”

“I think you suit one another.”

“You would, Miss Matchmaker,” Sam said, his tone teasing. “Hey, while you’re here, grab those two mugs, will you? They’re Tom’s and Dad’s coffees.” Sam picked up a tray with the teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl and walked through to the dining room.

“Joe was saying earlier that he’s got a band playing at the pub tonight. Fancy going along?” Tom said, taking a mug from Heather as she walked in.

“I’d love to, if Mum and Dad are okay to babysit?” Heather said.

Sam poured tea into the teacups, handing them along the table.

“Yes, yes. You can all go. Sam, you can take Maya,” Rose said, taking her teacup.

Sam cringed inwardly. Were his family trying too hard? Somehow, he thought Jade had played a part in this. She’d probably made his whole family promise to help him move on — when the time was right. Was the time right? Admittedly, it would be good to go out for a beer, listen to a local band. “Maya, would you like to come?”

“Oh, I couldn’t. My kids…” Maya fiddled with her napkin and her cheeks pinked.

“Oh, don’t worry about them, dear,” Rose said, reaching across for the milk jug, which Maya passed. “Charles and I will be here. What’s two more to look after? Besides, they’ll probably be in bed early. They all look shattered. Go, enjoy yourself.”

Showered and changed, Tom and Sam waited downstairs for Heather and Maya to emerge. Each held a bottle of lager as they leaned on the kitchen counter, talking football — their favourite subject.

When Heather had said she couldn’t walk into a pub in the evening without make-up on, Maya had concurred. Sam thought he’d best wear a shirt with a collar and opted for a polo-shirt. Tom had done the same. He’d learnt long ago that if the women made an effort to dress up, so should he.

Joe had confirmed that the band weren’t on until nine, so they had plenty of time. Maya was possibly fussing with her kids too, telling them to behave. Sam had seen how nervous she’d looked at the suggestion of leaving her children with his parents. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust them, it was more, he knew, that she wouldn’t want to impose. But they could hardly go down to the pub without her. For this weekend, at least, she was one of the family. And he liked that thought.

Maya appeared before Heather, and Sam realised he and Tom had stopped talking as she entered.

“Ready,” she said, nervously. She’d changed into a long-sleeved blue and white stripy Joules jumper. Her jacket was tucked over her arm. She wore her blonde hair loose, the ends curling naturally. Her make-up was light; her cheeks were highlighted pink with blusher and her eyes were lined with kohl and mascara. Lip gloss sparkled on her mouth. She looked pretty … stunning. Realising he was staring, Sam broke away his gaze and stared at his half-empty lager bottle.

“Beer?” Tom offered before he could.

Maya gently shook her head. Her hair swished, so she tucked the strands behind her ear. “No, thank you.”

When Heather came down five minutes later, they said goodbye to Rose and Charles and the children. Daisy and Scarlett were already in their pyjamas, and the five children were all seated around the dining room table playing board games and cards.

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