Page 70 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

CHAPTER 32

The next two weeks flew by. Maya, busy with clients, never saw Sam and hardly bumped into Heather on the school run either, as Lewis and Amber went to after-school clubs. Her work usually picked up at this time of year with people booking holidays and wanting waxes, manicures and pedicures to be beach-ready. Maya couldn’t believe the kids only had three more days left before they broke up for May half-term. Before she’d had children, Maya was certain time didn’t fly like this. Nowadays, she spent her days counting down the school weeks until the next term break.

Having heaved the massage bed into the boot of her car, she was ready to pull away when she remembered to check her phone. It was something she always tried to remember to do, as on several occasions she’d had clients cancel on her but had turned up on their doorstep, not seeing the text message first.

There was a message from Kyle. She frowned, then rolled her eyes in disbelief as she read it: Hi Maya, as I didn’t have the kids for Easter, I’ve booked a holiday for us all. I’ll come and collect them on Saturday morning and deliver them back the following Sunday in time for school.

“Maybe, Kyle, you should be asking if it’s okay for you to take them away for May half-term,” Maya said angrily at the phone screen. Okay, it was great he wanted to spend a week with them, but giving her three days’ notice — what if she’d made plans?

Thankfully, she hadn’t as such. She had kept her work diary free for a couple of days, including her birthday, which was on the 29th May, so she could take Lewis and Amber out on some day trips. Now it would mean she could work over the half-term and not stress about childcare.

But it would mean not having the children around to celebrate her birthday, she thought more glumly. It was only her thirty-ninth. It wasn’t special. Just typical of Kyle to forget about her birthday.

She would hold off booking more clients until she was absolutely certain Kyle wouldn’t cancel on her at the last minute.

She texted back: A bit of notice would have been nice, but the kids will love seeing you. I’ll make sure they’re packed for a week. See you on Saturday. Maya couldn’t resist giving a dig.

This was a prime example of what Kyle didn’t get. As he hardly saw the kids, he didn’t have any of their clothes at his house. She usually packed a bag to send Amber and Lewis off with. So that meant tonight’s job was making sure everything was washed and ironed.

Thanks, Kyle.

Kyle turned up at around eleven on Saturday morning. Maya had packed the children’s bags the night before, so she didn’t have to rush around like a headless chicken to get Amber and Lewis ready. Each bag was by the front door, with a week’s worth of clothes.

“I think I’ve remembered everything,” Maya said as she handed over the two holdalls.

“How much have you packed?” Kyle was unshaven and looked like he’d put on weight, the skin under his jaw saggy. Although still attractive, he appeared to be slowly losing his looks, or at least losing his appeal to Maya. Maybe baby Lola was taking her toll on him? Maya had ensured she looked fabulous this morning, even wearing make-up.

“You never know with the weather. It’s not as reliable as Spain.” She’d packed outfits for both warm and cold weather, underwear, toothbrushes, towels, swimwear, spare shoes, flip-flops, sun cream (which she hoped Kyle would think to use) and she’d given them each some spending money. She’d probably overdone it, but they were her babies. They were prepared for every eventuality. She smiled brightly. “Where are you going?”

“Just a caravan in Devon.”

Maya rolled her eyes. That wasn’t exactly the way to sell it to the children, although they’d be more than happy in ‘just a caravan in Devon’. A holiday was a holiday, and they loved the beach. “Are Jenna and Lola going?”

“No, I thought it would be nice with just me and the kids.”

“Oh, okay.” It would do their children good to have quality time with their dad and have him focus on them rather than Jenna and Lola. Yet, they did need to bond with their new half-sister. But that was Kyle’s worry, not hers, she decided.

“I’ll bring them back on Sunday, is that okay?” Kyle said.

“Yes, not too late, though, as they have school the next day.”

Kyle nodded. “Come on, munchkins. Say goodbye to your mum.”

“Have a lovely time.” A lump formed in Maya’s throat as she kissed first Amber and then Lewis, giving them each a hug. “Be good for your dad.” They were always good for Kyle. He even said he never had problems — and couldn’t understand what Maya was going on about. However, Amber had confessed one time that they were afraid to be naughty in case he didn’t want to see them again. It seemed Kyle only saw the best side of the kids on the few occasions they visited him.

Maya watched Kyle drive off, the kids strapped in the back, waving. She closed the front door and rested her head against it. A tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. She wiped her face with the back of her hand. There was a silence, an emptiness. She hated it when Kyle took the kids away, yet she loved the freedom it gave her. Then she would berate herself for the selfish thought, but she knew it made her a better mother if she had a break. She could recharge her batteries and come out a more patient person. Hopefully.

By late afternoon, with the housework completed, Maya had made some phone calls and sent some texts. She’d updated her Facebook page to say she was available for treatments over the half-term period, giving away some special offers, hoping to generate extra bookings. The house was eerily quiet and still, even with the radio on in the background. Kyle texted to say they’d arrived safely at the caravan site in Devon.

Before making dinner for one, which she felt uninspired to cook, she decided to go for a run. The exercise would release endorphins and lift her spirits. Breathing in the fresh air and taking in the scenery of the marina both helped improve her mood and motivation.

After dinner, she decided to watch a film. Something grown-up, that she couldn’t watch with the children. At the back of the cupboard she found an unopened box of chocolates. With everything to hand, including her laptop, Maya settled down for a lazy evening on the sofa. One day, she hoped her Saturday nights would be more exciting. And less lonely.

While deciding on which movie to watch, she thought about trying to find herself a date to make the most of this week alone. Even if it turned out to be dinner for one night only, it would get her out of the house — especially as it was also her birthday week.

She’d toyed with the idea of texting Sam. But without Amber and Lewis here as playdates for Chloe, she wasn’t sure she had a decent enough excuse to catch up with him.

Why did she keep thinking of Sam? Because you can relax in his company. He’s the kind of guy you would like as a partner. Easy-going, someone you can talk to and laugh with, and who you’re attracted to physically…

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