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Maya remembered how exhausted Sam had appeared earlier, and it pained her more than the memory of the edge to his voice. “Have you spoken to Sam recently?”

“Not this week. Why?”

Maya cleared her throat. “He looked tired today. And he was . . . a little short.”

Liv frowned. “He gets like that if they’ve had an argument.”

“Right,” Maya replied, unsure what else to say.

“I’ll call him,” Liv said. “But usually, he won’t give me any detail. I think he’s afraid to say too much because he knows what my opinion of her is. My fault for being too candid in the past.”

Maya glanced over as they arrived at Liv’s, wishing she could do something to help, but feeling powerless.

Liv leaned over to kiss Maya’s cheek. “Thank you for the trip to see a handsome man’s wares.”

“You’re welcome.”

Liv left the car with a wave, and Maya sat for a moment, feeling stressed by all the difficulties around her and wishing she could solve their current problems as easily as she did math.

Dinner was tense again, with Yvonne chatting to each of them in turn and attempting to get Maya and Omar to engage with each other, but neither taking her up on it. Maya felt bad that her mum was desperate to mend the family rifts. Especially when it wasn’t that long until Christmas.

The first to finish, Maya jumped to her feet. “I’ll do the cleanup tonight. You guys have a rest.” She began clearing the plates.

Omar finally raised his eyes from the medical magazine he’d been reading over dinner, to address Maya. “I’ve sent you an e-mail, with some firms you can send your CV to.”

It felt like a heavy boulder dropped on her, causing her to freeze as she loaded the dishwasher, before she forced her body to keep moving. “Have they got openings?”

“No, but it doesn’t hurt to get your details in so they have you in mind for the future.”

Maya’s mouth went dry. The future scenario of being trapped behind a desk seemed especially bleak compared to skiing the slopes. “Okay, Dad.”

She finished her task as quickly as possible, then made her excuses before leaving the room. Yvonne flashed her a sympathetic look as she departed.

Taking the stairs two at a time, she shut herself in her room, lying down on the bed. Apart from the little oasis of joy with Liv at Arran’s studio, it had been rather a shitty day.

Her phone buzzed with a message, and for a moment her heart rose into her mouth. What if it’s Hana, having another go at me?

She lifted it to find it was from Sam.

I owe you an apology for being a dick earlier. I’d like to say sorry in person, if you don’t mind me coming over.

Maya hovered her finger over the phone for a second, but the decision was already made.

Sure. Free whenever you are.

Thanks. On my way.

Maya let out a breath, unsure how to navigate this situation. She blew her fringe out of her eyes. He could’ve just apologized on the phone, but the fact that he wanted to do it face-to-face was touching.

There was a knock at her bedroom door, and she opened it to see Yvonne standing there. “Can I have a word?”

“Sure.” She gestured her mum in. “What’s up, buttercup?”

Smiling, Yvonne sat on the bed. “Do you really want to send those CVs out? Or did you only agree to it to please your father?”

The hair on the back of Maya’s neck pricked up. “No, I want to do it,” she said quickly.

Yvonne raised her eyebrows, but Maya got in there before she could ask more. “Sam’ll be here in a minute. We need to discuss something.”