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CHAPTER 30
Maya decided to give the online dating a rest. She occasionally messaged PeterPan26, but other than that, she kept her profile hidden so she couldn’t be contacted by anyone else. She did not need to be subjected to any more depressing messages from the likes of DIYDes to knock her self-esteem. She still ruminated over Pierce and how he’d conducted the whole relationship. She couldn’t help obsessively analysing it, trying to work out if she’d said or done something wrong, kicking herself for sleeping with him too quickly. She didn’t regret it — she was a grown woman. She’d given birth to two children and was a responsible adult. Emma reassured her it wasn’t her fault. But late at night, lying in bed in the darkness with only her thoughts for company, she still questioned herself.
This weekend was Heather’s barbecue, giving her something to look forward to. Her parents were taking Amber and Lewis out for the day, and would come along to the barbecue in the late afternoon, delighted to be invited.
Maya had seen Selina’s Facebook status over the weekend, changing from happy, positive thoughts to much more emotional ones, hinting that something was amiss. Her relationship status had switched back to single, too. Maya sent her a personal message to ask if everything was okay, and Selina replied that Kelvin had suddenly ended their relationship. Shocked, Maya thumbed a reply: I’m sorry to hear this. I thought he was the one. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.
Since their initial discussion about online dating, Selina had regularly checked in with Maya, interested in how she had been getting on. Now Maya wanted to be a friend Selina could lean on.
While busy checking her stock and monitoring Lewis doing his homework at the kitchen table, Maya’s phone pinged. It was Selina: Hi, Maya, I wondered if you were about this Friday. I could do with a night out and a chat.
Let me see if I can organise a babysitter, Maya replied. The way she was feeling about Pierce, she believed Selina would be good to talk things over with. Sometimes their married friends didn’t understand the trials and tribulations of being a single mother. Emma was a great support, but maybe Selina was what Maya needed right now.
Her mother, Fern, didn’t do texting, so Maya telephoned her.
“Hi, Mum, it’s only me,” she said. “You know you’ve got the kids on Saturday? Well, I was wondering if you’d mind having them overnight on the Friday?”
“I can’t see why not. It would mean you’re not disturbed on Saturday morning; you’ll be able to go straight to work,” Fern replied. And if Maya had a hangover from the Friday evening, she could recover in peace. “We could treat the kids to a Frankie and Benny’s breakfast.”
“Oh, they’d love that.” Lewis always talked about the pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. “Yes, and I’ve been invited out on Friday night —”
“Ooh, another date?”
“No, no, no more dates. I’m just going out with a mum from school. She’s split up with her boyfriend, so I think she needs some company.”
“Oh, no,” Fern said, sounding concerned. “Yes, well, that’s fine. We’d love to have them. Would you like us to collect them from school?”
“Do you mind?” With the phone to her ear, Maya checked out her appearance in the mirror in the hallway. Her eyebrows needed attention. This week, she’d let herself go. Not good for a beauty industry professional. “It would be a great help.”
“That’s settled, then.”
Maya waited outside The Golden Lion early on Friday evening. The clouds were as grey as her mood, and she hoped Selina wouldn’t keep her waiting too long. They’d never socialised before. They always said hello in the school playground — Toby was in the same class as Amber — and they chatted via Facebook, more so since Maya had first asked about online dating. And although Selina had become a new client for treatments, too, they’d never been out for a drink together.
“Hi, sorry I’m late,” Selina said, running down the hill, her blonde hair streaming behind her like a kite’s tail in the wind. She wore skinny black jeans, heels and a floaty, flowery top underneath a black leather jacket. She appeared to have made much more of an effort than Maya, wearing her make-up heavier too. Was Kelvin old news already? Perhaps Selina was putting on a brave face. Maya wished she’d put heels on too, and not opted for flip-flops.
They entered the pub chatting nervously, as if it were a first date, and heads turned. Maya noticed Sam immediately. He was here again with his friends, casually dressed, sports bag by his feet, pint glasses half empty. Vicky — the stunning brunette — was also there. Now Maya knew who Vicky was, she didn’t feel any resentment or jealousy towards her.
Maya smiled at Sam and gave a feeble wave. Selina found them a table.
“Who’s that?” she asked as she handed Maya a menu.
“Just a friend. Chloe’s dad from school.”
“One hot dad. Why haven’t I noticed him in the playground before?” Selina asked. “Probably because I was so loved up with Kelvin.”
“He rarely does the school run.” Maya tried to brush off Selina’s comment, hoping it looked as if she’d never noticed how hot Sam was.
“Shall we share a bottle of wine?” Selina looked up from her menu. She had lovely blue eyes, accentuated by dark kohl, and long black eyelashes. She was so pretty. Was Kelvin mad? Why had he let Selina go? From the photos Maya had seen of him on social media, she’d always thought the man was punching above his weight. “White or rosé?”
“I think they have Prosecco on offer.”
“Oh, yes, let’s do that.” Selina sounded very cheerful, but Maya wondered if it was a front. When they’d spoken in the week to finalise their meeting, Selina had become quite tearful. Hopefully they both wouldn’t be sobbing into their Prosecco glasses later.
Leaving her card at the bar, Maya set up a tab, ordering the bottle of Prosecco and their food. While she waited for the bartender to fetch her bottle, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Don’t panic, I’m not stalking you. Daryl and I sometimes have a pint after badminton,” Sam said, standing beside her. “Vicky and Zara joined us.”
“Undoing all your hard work exercising,” Maya said, trying to keep the conversation light.
