Page 27 of A Manny for Christmas

My head falls to the steering wheel. I am fucking destroyed. Beyond exhausted. Frazzled. I have a horrible stress headache that’s sending rings of pain around my entire skull, and my head is beating out of my chest.

Worst of all, it’s eight-thirty-eight in the morning and I need a fucking drink.

10

MOLLY

I’m admiring a tray of flawless brioches, their glazed tops dotted with tiny sugar lumps, when Sadie sashays over to me.

‘You look obnoxiously good this morning for someone who has a baby,’ I say. Her pale blonde bob is teased to perfection, her makeup immaculate, and her black polo neck and tartan kilt adorable beyond belief.

‘Thanks.’ She pats her hair. ‘Ned looks after Isabelle while I get ready. But I didn’t come over for compliments.’

‘That makes a change,’ I joke. I wouldn’t say Sadie’s vain, but she definitely understands the power of her looks. As well she should.

‘Hilarious. Now, please tell me why there is an incredibly attractive and weirdly familiar-looking guy with a bloody nose asking for you at reception?’

I gasp. ‘Oh my God. It must be Max. Is he okay?’ I spin to go before remembering to tug off my apron. ‘How do I look?’ The second the words are out of my mouth, I mentally kick myself.

Sadie’s eyes widen. ‘You look great, as always, but I’m interested that you care. Who isMax?’

I crane my head towards the entrance, trying to get a glimpse of him at the Oast House reception.

‘He’s Angus’ brother. My ex. He—’

‘What?’

‘You knew I went out with Angus’ brother. Years ago.’ I gesture impatiently. ‘That’s how I know Angus.’

‘I did not. I was on mat leave when you turned up, remember?’ She blows out a breath. ‘God, I missed out on so much gossip when I was out. How long did you date Mr I’m-Hot-and-May-Have-Punched-Someone-Before-Breakfast for? And he’s Angus’ brother. Fascinating. That’s who he reminded me of—but he’s bigger than Angus, no? I mean, he looks totally built.’

I stride out of the kitchen, and she follows. Annoyingly, her legs are longer than mine, even without her gorgeous suede stiletto boots, so she keeps up just fine.

I think. ‘Three years. No, four. We lived together for three.’

‘That’s a long time. And you broke up why?’

‘He didn’t want kids. I did.’ I spot Max. He’s holding something white to his nose. ‘Now you’re up to speed. Please make yourself scarce.’

‘Why is he back? Tell me, then I’ll leave.’

‘He came back to see Angus. But he didn’t realise they were refurbing Belvedere, so he’s staying with me and helping me with my kids in the mornings for a few weeks.’ Max has clocked me. I give him a little wave. ‘And yes, I’m aware of the irony. My life is like a bad comedy. Now shoo.’

‘He’sverysexy,’ she says in my ear. ‘Maybe you should give him another chance.’

‘He’s a commitment-phobe,’ I say, though that’s not remotely fair. His commitment to me never wavered. Ever. He just didn’t want our family to go beyond the two of us. ‘Maybe you should go and annoy your husband.’

Max points to me and Carmel at reception waves him through.

‘Good idea. I’ll go and distract him from his spreadsheets.’ She bats her eyelids at me, and I get a sense that Ned’s morning is about to get better. ‘Butthisisn’t over. I need a full debrief. Soon. With wine.’

I wave her off and hurry over to Max. On closer inspection, the white thing is a bloody tissue.

Oh my God.

‘Are you okay?’ I ask. He doesn’t look okay. Far from it. His nose is swelling up across the bridge. I put a hand on his arm. ‘Are the kids all right?’

‘They’re fine,’ he says wearily. ‘They’re at school. This looks worse than it is—putting Daisy’s tights on didn’t go so well.’

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