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“Thanks for this,” Maya said. “I’m sorry my appointment took longer than anticipated. When she found out I offered waxing as a service too, she asked if I could do her bikini line. And the way she asked, I felt I couldn’t say no.”
“She knew you wouldn’t say no.”
Maya sighed. “Why do people leave things to the last minute? She flies out on holiday in the morning.”
“You’re the sort to be packed a week before, aren’t you?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. Jade was the same,” Sam said, then dropped his gaze, concentrating on the pans on the hob. Maya didn’t feel any discomfort at the mention of Jade’s name. He had nothing to be embarrassed about. “The kids have been great, by the way. Haven’t really heard a peep out of them. Bribed them with biscuits and a drink when we walked through the door, then they’ve been watching TV or playing on the Wii.”
Occasionally, Maya could hear the children’s laughter from the lounge. She sipped her tea. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“No, you relax.”
She didn’t need telling twice.
Ten minutes later, five pasta bowls were filled with spaghetti — smaller portions for the children — and Bolognese sauce was spooned over it. Slices of garlic ciabatta bread, smelling divine, was retrieved from the oven and placed on a large plate, which Sam handed to Maya.
“Please can you take that to the table? And maybe round up the kids,” Sam said.
“Wash your hands, kids,” Maya called out, after placing the garlic bread in the centre of the table. The three children, drying their hands on their shirts, came running into the dining room and took their seats, leaving Maya to sit next to Sam, who would take the end of the table.
“Oh! Wine!” Sam went back into the kitchen.
The kids all grabbed a piece of garlic bread as if they would miss out if they didn’t, even though there was plenty there. It felt like the days when she was married to Kyle, and they all sat around the table together. It was important family time. She wished for those times again.
WithSam? The thought popped into her head.
Sam returned from the kitchen with two small glasses of red wine, placing a glass before her.
“Thank you,” Maya said. She waited for him to sit down, then clinked her glass with his. “Cheers.”
Sam and Maya let the children lead the dinner table conversation, recounting what they’d done in school that day. Sam would glance across at Maya, with that twinkle of laughter in his gaze, and would give encouragement to the children. It felt good to share this with someone, the day-to-day stuff which got taken for granted.
The food was devoured quickly by the children.
“Can we play another game on the Wii, Mummy?” Lewis asked as he was about to get down from the table, the last to finish.
“Erm, what do you say first?” Eyes narrowed, Maya gave him a stern look.
“Please may I leave the table?” Lewis asked, looking at Maya and then Sam. The girls had already asked to leave.
“Yes, but we can’t stay too long, darling,” Maya said, getting up from the table to help Sam with the plates.
“Yay!” Lewis was gone.
“I don’t want to eat and just leave, but it is getting late.” Maya glanced at her watch. It was seven. “We’ll have to go soon.”
Unfortunately. It would have been nicer to stay, to cuddle up on the sofa, watch a film, finish the wine. That’s all Maya wanted; to be loved.
“Of course. It’s a school night.” Sam took the plates from Maya, rinsed them under the tap then placed them in the dishwasher.
They both returned to the dining room, to clear anything remaining on the table. Both wine glasses were empty. They gathered up the discarded pasta bowls, laughing and joking comfortably together. In an unguarded moment, Maya caught Sam by the arm.
“Sam, I just wanted to say thanks for this. Babysitting the kids, the dinner… I really appreciate it. You’re a real friend.” She dropped her gaze, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear that had worked itself loose from her bun.
“Any time, Maya. I’ve enjoyed having you here.”
