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CHAPTER 31
Maya’s head thudded as her phone alarm went off, a dull ache at her temples reminding her of how much Prosecco she and Selina had drunk the night before. They had certainly cheered each other up. She resolved, too, to keep her profile hidden and take a break from online dating. What if she was trying to force something that wasn’t meant to be yet?
Much as she liked Sam, she worried whether it was worth jeopardising their friendship. With a sigh, Maya threw back the duvet, knowing she couldn’t lie in bed any longer. She needed to make the most of the morning, getting a run in before meeting her first client.
The running club met early now the weather was warmer and the mornings much lighter. Running first thing was quieter, too, especially on a Saturday, when most people stayed in bed later. The run cleared her head, and after a quick breakfast and shower, Maya donned a clean, deep purple tunic, tied her hair back and applied her make-up. Ready for work, Maya loaded her car with what she needed for the morning.
Maya’s first client was a new customer who had been put in touch with her through a friend of a friend. Ingrid was a woman in her early fifties and came across as snooty. She took longer than Maya wanted to deliberate over which colour nail polish to choose, and Maya had to fend off a few cats, but otherwise she was running on time to reach her next client, a bride.
They’d gone through a make-up trial a week earlier, so Maya knew exactly what she was doing. The bride, with her hair already set and pinned, and with flowers and jewels dotted in the twists and curls, wore her pink, silk dressing gown to cover the fact she only had her underwear on underneath. The dress was going on last.
Three other young women — the bridesmaids — flitted about, chattering and giggling. It was noisy and the excited tension was palpable in the room. They were each doing their own make-up, helping one another in what could only be described as organised chaos. There were pain au chocolat and croissants on the table, and four glass flutes, each with champagne bubbling in them and lipstick marks on the rims. Every now and then, one of the young women would return to their glass and take a sip. The bride’s glass was the fullest.
Among this bedlam and noise, as Maya’s head started to thrum, the bride reached for her champagne flute and knocked it over, spilling its contents into the eyeshadow palette. Maya’s stress levels lessened as the girls rallied round, a team effort, and Maya was able to apply eye make-up to the bride, but not quite how they’d originally planned.
Later than scheduled and feeling like the morning had been one big rush, Maya pulled up on her driveway, yanking up the handbrake before the car had even stopped. Thinking she wouldn’t last until the afternoon and not wanting to start drinking on an empty stomach, she slapped together some lunch. She then unloaded her car, drank coffee and scoffed a sandwich — a fine example of how women could multi-task — before jumping in the shower again.
The weather looked clear, but blowy — the usual downside to living by the coast — so Maya opted for three-quarter length denim blue jeggings, a dusty pink floral top and a matching jacket for the cooler evening to come. With a glance at her watch, Maya locked her house, popped on her sunglasses and started her route to Heather’s house.
“Oh, bugger!” Halfway there, she realised she’d forgotten to buy Heather a present, plus a bottle of wine to take with her. She’d meant to call into the supermarket on the way home from her last client, but what with the spillage of champagne over her make-up, and the hysteria of the bride and bridesmaids, she’d clean forgotten and driven straight home.
Maya detoured back towards the supermarket, grabbing a basket as she entered. Not knowing Heather very well, she opted for a pretty bouquet of yellow and orange flowers, a mix of roses, lilies and gerberas with gypsophila scattered between them. Always Maya’s favourite. Then she picked up two bottles of Prosecco and a giftbag.
Laden down with the two bottles of Prosecco and trying to cradle the bouquet of flowers without breaking the stems, as if holding a newborn baby, Maya’s arms felt like lead by the time she rang the doorbell. She had walked around for twenty minutes trying to find Heather’s house. And her legs were reminding her she’d gone for a 5K run this morning, too. As soon as she heard the doorbell chime, she spotted the note taped to the door saying, backgateopen.
“Hello!” Maya called, struggling to open the gate. She had to put the bottles down with a clink. With her thumb, she manoeuvred the latch on the gate and pushed, and to her relief she was through. Blowing her hair out of her face as she reached down for the bottles, suddenly feeling hot from the walk, she stepped forward, and oomph!
“Sorry!” she said, bumping straight into Sam. Solid, firm torso — Maya relished it for one brief, pleasant moment.
He looked and smelt divine, wearing dark denim jeans and a blue checked shirt.
Why did he always look bloody amazing when she looked harassed, stressed and usually sweaty!
“I heard a hello and thought I’d come see if you needed a hand. It sounded more like a call for help.” Sam was holding a pint of beer.
“It was, really. But shouting ‘help’ might have sounded pathetic.”
Sam welcomed her through. “Can I help you carry anything?”
“The bottle in the carrier bag is my booze contribution.” Maya held up her hand, arm aching, and Sam took the bag from her. She still cradled the flowers and the other bottle. “I’ll go give these to Heather.”
“I’ll put this in the fridge and get you a drink. There’s an open bottle of Prosecco already in there.” Sam led Maya into the small garden, where a gas barbecue was being fired up by Tom, who was chatting to Charles. Chloe and her cousins were playing on the lawn. Plenty of garden chairs were placed out around the patio, and there was multicoloured bunting — pastel pink, green and yellow — strung from hanging basket to hanging basket, all newly planted with bedding flowers. It all looked so pretty. Maya found Heather sitting in a chair, talking to Rose.
“Happy birthday,” Maya said as Heather stood to greet her.
“You didn’t need to do this, Maya. They’re so pretty.” Heather gestured to the flowers and then the giftbag containing the extra Prosecco. She kissed Maya on the cheek as if they were old friends. “Thank you — I’ll go put them in water.”
“Come and sit down,” Rose said, patting Heather’s vacated garden chair beside her. “Lovely to see you again. You’re looking well.”
“Yes, and you.” Maya’s healthy glow was probably due to the exertion and stress rather than the sun.
“Hey, Maya.” Joe came through the patio doors, looking like he’d just come off the beach in knee-length shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops. He gave her a hug before she could take her seat. “Great to see you.”
“And you,” Maya said. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” She realised now it was Rhianna sitting on the other side of Rose and gave her a friendly wave.
Memories of Easter in Cornwall with all of Sam’s family flooded back to Maya, a weekend she wouldn’t forget. Their warmth and hospitality were palpable. They always made her feel like a part of their family, even though she wasn’t.But could she be?
“I’d better help Tom with the barbecue. Don’t want burnt burgers.” Joe thumbed behind him.
