Page 58 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

CHAPTER 28

While Maya waited for Sam to arrive with Amber, she leafed through her beauty magazines at the kitchen table, catching up on the new treatment trends. Emma had messaged to say she would pop Lewis back for her. She’d slapped on minimal make-up, hoping to hide the fact she’d been crying on and off. But her skin felt taut even after applying facemasks and creams galore. Last night, she’d ended up finishing the bottle of wine and watching the television. She’d felt too tired to go out and too upset to even call Emma. She would talk to her when she dropped Lewis off. She fancied a sofa day with the kids.

Sam arrived with Amber before Emma.

“Hey, did you have a good evening?” Sam asked as Maya invited him in. Chloe and Amber climbed the stairs to Amber’s room. Maya had given her daughter strict instructions to unpack her bag.

“Yes, thank you,” she lied, unable to look Sam in the eye. Did she divulge her broken night’s sleep? The tossing and the turning, and the conversations she’d had in her head, the things she wished she’d said to Pierce. No, it was a conversation to have with Emma. “Did the girls behave?”

“Yes, Amber was great. Very polite. Maybe a little shy.”

“Doesn’t sound like the child I dropped off.” They both laughed.

“Yes, I often think that when I read Chloe’s school reports.”

“Oh, yes. I’m sure their personalities transform the minute they walk through the school gates.” Maya poured the coffee, swirling in some milk then handing it to Sam. They became at ease with one another much more quickly now. “What time did they go to bed?” Maya gestured to her kitchen table. Sam took a seat one side, and Maya sat opposite, bringing the biscuit tin with her.

“Well, I sent them to bed after the movie, at half past ten. I thought that was late enough even for a sleepover.”

“Yes, I’d say the same.”

“But I don’t think they actually fell asleep until gone midnight.”

“Early night for them tonight, then, with school tomorrow.”

“And me. I’m back to work tomorrow.” He combed a hand through his hair, and his expression betrayed a hint of stress.

“Yes, and me.” Pedicures and manicures, and a couple of massages.

“Maya…” Sam looked at her, his eyes suddenly intense. He cupped his mug.

Maya’s heart sped up with the anticipation of what he was about to say. Anxiety, worry… What had happened last night? Did he have to tell her something about Amber? “Yes…?”

“HELLO!” Emma’s voice boomed from the front door. Maya had left it open so that she could let herself in.

Maya looked back at Sam questioningly, but he shrugged as if to say it could wait. “We’re in here,” Maya called.

Sam stood up, draining his coffee. “I’d better go, get out of your hair.”

Maya stood too. “No, don’t feel you have to rush off.”

Emma entered the kitchen. “I want to know all the explicit — oh!” She stopped, seeing Sam standing in Maya’s kitchen, pulling his car keys out of his jeans pocket. “Hello, Sam.”

“I’m just dropping off Amber, but I’d best go.”

“I’ve brought Owen and Finley with me, as I will probably be here an hour gassing to Maya.”

“Help yourself to coffee,” Maya said. “I’ll just show Sam out.”

In the hallway, Sam called up to Chloe. In a typical display of child behaviour, she didn’t come immediately, but called back, “I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Was there something you needed to tell me? Was it about Amber?”

Sam shook his head and rubbed his chin. He had a morning shadow where he hadn’t shaved yet. Something was on his mind. “No, no, nothing like that. It can wait. The girls were fine. Gosh, sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you then.” He went to the bottom of the stairs. “Chloe, come on. Now.”

Chloe thumped down the stairs, Amber following.

“See you at school tomorrow,” Amber said.

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