Page 108 of A Manny for Christmas

‘That should be fun,’ Max mutters. ‘They sound like a bloody comedy duo.’

I stifle a grin, because they really do.

‘I have one more thing to say.’ It’s now or never. As far as I’m concerned, Max has earned his stripes a million times over this evening. His tunnel vision at the play has shown me, clear as day, that my children’s wellbeing is his highest priority. ‘You know how Max and I used to be boyfriend and girlfriend?’

Max stiffens, but his face is breaking out into a smile of delight and disbelief. I draw encouragement from that.

‘Yeah,’ Toby says.

‘Yucky,’ Daisy adds.

‘Yes. Well, we still love each other. I mean, again.’ Best not to let the kids think I’ve loved Max the entire way through my marriage to their father. ‘And we want to be boyfriend and girlfriend again, and have Max stay in our cottage. What would you think of that?’

‘Yay!’ Daisy shouts, and then: ‘Would he still be our manny?’

Max snorts derisively, and I stifle a laugh. ‘I think, after today, we can promote him to boyfriend, don’t you? But both of us would look after you guys. We might even get another nanny, if Max wants to work full time on the farm.’

‘Can we get another boy nanny?’ Toby asks.

‘Not happening, mate,’ Max says grimly.

‘I think that’s a great idea,’ I tell Toby with a huge grin. ‘Maybe someone young? Athletic?’

Max pulls his hand out from under mine and squeezes my neck, and I let out a yelp.

‘Maybe a girl nanny would be better. Like Sylvie. But let’s see. That’s all up for discussion. What I really want to talk to you about is having Max live with us.’

‘Like, forever?’ Toby asks.

I glance at Max.

He nods. ‘Yeah, forever.’

I swallow, becausejeezLouise, this is emotional.

‘The most important thing,’ I say, ‘is that you and Max have a good relationship. That you two feel like he’s in your corner. On your side. And I think he proved that tonight with his Spiderman stunt.’

‘I’m Team Toby and Daisy and Molly, and you’re more important to me than anyone or anything else,’ he tells them. ‘Got that?’

‘I like being at home wiv Max when I’m sick,’ Daisy says. ‘He’s nicer than Mummy.’

Max guffaws, and I gasp in outrage.

‘That is so unfair! I’m really nice when you’re sick.’

‘You’re busy. You do the washing up and stuff. Max hangs out wiv me and watches TV and doesn’t do any tidying up.’

‘Yeah, I noticed that when I got home the other day,’ I say drily. ‘Look. This is going to be a bit of an experiment. I know Max has spent a few weeks with us, but him getting to know you guys properly will be a long process. Let’s just see how it goes, okay? I just wanted to tell you that I love him, and I love both of you, and it makes me very happy to think we’ll all be together.’

‘And I love your mother very much,’ Max tells them. ‘But I love you both too, and I hope my little stunt earlier showed you that I will always be there for you when you need me. I’ll never let anyone hurt either of you.’

Swoon swoon swooooon.

Be still my beating lady parts.

‘I love you too, Max,’ Toby says shyly. ‘Thank you for rescuing me.’

Max holds out his arms, his eyes suspiciously red. ‘Come here, mate.’

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