‘Good. Good. So did you make your deadline okay?’
‘I did, yes. Delivered the mugs yesterday, so...yes, all done.’
There’s a brief pause. Then he says, ‘So...when can I see you? What about tonight? Or maybe tomorrow night if you’rebusy?’
My heart is aching but I have to distance myself, so I closemy eyes tightly and say in a rush, ‘The thing is, Aidan, I’m not sure I’m inthe right place at the moment to start seeing someone. The business has to bemy priority right now, you know?’
There’s silence at the other end, so I rush on. ‘I’m workingall the hours at the moment, trying to make a go of it, and it just wouldn’t befair on... on the person I was with. If you see what I mean?’
‘Right.’ There’s a long pause and I wait, feeling sick.‘Well, we could just see each other at weekends?’ he says at last. ‘Saturdaynight? You needsometime away from work, Kenzie.’
‘No, I don’t. Really I don’t. I... well, Ican’t afford to take my eye off the ball right now.’Oh, God, this is awful.He sounds so bewildered, as well he might after the passionate way I kissed himback the other night!
‘Is this your way of telling me you’ve changed your mindabout us, Kenzie?’ he asks softly. ‘Are you trying to let me down gently?’
‘What?No!’
‘Can we be friends, at least?’
‘Of course we can. I’dhateit if I couldn’t...I mean, yes, that would be great, Aidan, and if you need any help with thefete, please let me know.’
‘Are you okay? You seem... different. Hassomething happened?’
The concern in his voice almost breaks my resolve. If Idon’t get off the phone soon, I’m going to start sobbing and agree to see him.
I need to stay in control.
‘I’m fine. Honestly. I just... don’t havetime for romance in my life right now.’
‘No problem.’ He gives a bitter laugh. ‘I know when I’mbeaten. Right, well, if you change your mind about meeting up for a drink – nostrings attached – just know that I’d be really pleased to hear from you,okay?’
‘Okay.’ I swallow on the lump in my throat. ‘Maybe we could...go out and celebrate after the fete? If it’s a success... Imean, itwillbe a success. I’m sure of it.’
‘Maybe. Bye, Kenzie.’
Bye.’
I end the call and curl up on the bed, and I sob my heartout until there are no tears left to cry.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
The weeks roll by and I bury myself in my work,haunted by the fact that my precious chance at happiness with Aidan wasdestroyed in the end by my own deception. The only sunshine on my horizon isthe happy ending that seems to be in store for Maisie.
One sunny day in early May, she dances into my house –reminding me so much of Poppy, my heart gives a painful squeeze – and afteradmiring the Christmas decorations again, she turns to me with big wide eyes.
‘Guess what, Kenzie?’
‘What, my love?’
‘I’m going to be ’dopted!’
I look at her, wondering what she means for a second. Then,as I glance at Ellie, who’s following behind with a beaming smile, I get itinstantly.
‘Oh, wow! Is this true?’
Ellie nods. ‘We were always going to do it, Zak and I. Wejust never got around to it. But yes, we started the adoption ball rollingyesterday, and I’m going to be Maisie’s real mum. It will be official at lastand no-one is happier about it than I am.’
‘’Cept me.’ Maisie smiles up at her. ‘And Daddy.’
