CHAPTER THREE #2
Ellie laughed. ‘Well, you just have to keep going, I suppose. I mean, if I stop to relax, I might never be able to get up again!’
‘But you do need to find time for yourself,’ said Katja. ‘Are you able to do that?’
‘Well, Zak’s great, of course. He sends me off for a scented bath and some “me time” when he thinks things are getting a bit too much.’
‘Is he around all the time? Writing in his study?’ asked Maddy.
‘Oh, yes. A lot of the time. Sometimes he goes to the library for a change of scene. Yes, it’s great, really, that he’s got a job where he can work mainly from home.
Otherwise, I suppose it could be quite difficult.
’ She shrugged. ‘He’s always got a tight deadline to meet so he can’t spend as much time as he’d like to with Isla.
But hey, it’s what we’ve both wanted all these years.
.. to expand our little family. So as far as I’m concerned, bring it on! ’
‘Well, you’re looking great,’ said Katja. ‘Motherhood definitely agrees with you.’
I nodded. She’d found time to put make-up on which was a miracle in itself. ‘I bet Maisie’s being a fabulous big sister, helping out.’ I smiled across at Maisie and, hearing her name, she looked up with a stiff little smile then went back to poring over her homework.
‘Maisie? Oh, yes. She’s been great,’ agreed Ellie. ‘Couldn’t do it without her. Eh, Maisie?’
‘She’s my baby sister,’ said Maisie in a matter-of-fact way. ‘Of course I should help.’
‘Well, I’m very grateful, love. You know that.’
Maisie nodded but didn’t look up.
Ellie smiled. ‘Look, I think we’d better be getting back home. It’s been great to see you all but can I rain check that coffee?’
Maddy nodded. ‘Of course.’
Ellie smiled across at her step-daughter. ‘Come on, you. I’ll make your favourite banana and golden syrup pancakes when we get back, okay?’
‘Isla will need her four o’clock feed when we get home,’ Maisie replied rather sternly, as she gathered her things together, popping her pens back in her pencil case.
Ellie gave an awkward little laugh. ‘You see? My brilliant daughter knows Isla’s routine better than I do.’
‘No, I don’t.’ Maisie sounded cross. ‘I’m just saying, that’s all.’ She put her books in her backpack, zipped it up and slung it over her shoulder. Then she picked up the bulky baby bag and headed for the door.
There was a moment of surprised silence.
Ellie stood up and looped the baby carrier over her arms. ‘Right. Let’s go!’ she murmured, a little unnecessarily considering Maisie was already out by the car waiting.
‘How about we all come round and help some time?’ I suggested as we followed Ellie out to the car.
‘Yes. We could make you some food and look after little Isla while you have a pamper session and put your feet up. Maybe one evening when Zak’s out at his writers’ group?’ said Katja, talking to Ellie’s rear as she fixed the carrier firmly in place in the back seat.
‘That would be great.’ She withdrew from the back and slid into the driver’s seat.
With a cheery smile and a wave, she started the engine and drove away.
‘Was it just me or was there a little tension in the air there?’ I asked as we went back into the café.
‘Between Ellie and Maisie? Yes, I thought so as well,’ agreed Katja.
‘Not surprising. I hated my twin sisters when they were born,’ Maddy admitted in her usual blunt fashion.
‘Really?’ Katja stared at her in horror. ‘I just always wished I wasn’t an only child. I’d have loved a brother or a sister.’ She grinned. ‘But instead, I had a rabbit.’
‘Well, yes, but I’d had Mum and Dad all to myself until they came along and ruined my perfect life,’ pointed out Maddy, but she was smiling. ‘I love them dearly now, of course.’
‘But you’re right,’ I agreed. ‘It would be only natural if Maisie felt a little bit resentful of having to share Ellie and Zak now that Isla is on the scene demanding lots of attention.’
‘That’s true.’ Maddy bent to pick up a piece of paper from the floor near the door. Frowning, she studied it, then she handed it to me. ‘What do you make of this?’
‘What is it?’
Almost as soon as I took the page torn from a spiral notepad and started reading, I felt a flush of recognition sweeping into my cheeks. It must have somehow fallen on the floor...
Reading the words, I turned away slightly and rested my flushed cheek on my hand, hoping to hide my awkward reaction.
I saw him yesterday.
He walked right past me but he didn’t see me. My heart was beating so fast I thought I might actually faint.
I want to tell him but I’m scared he’ll laugh...
‘Oh, dear,’ I murmured, knowing Maddy was waiting for my response. ‘It... well, it sounds like someone’s in an emotional place.’
‘It does, doesn’t it? There’s a phone number scribbled on the other side. What on earth do we do with it?’
‘I’m . . . not sure.’
‘Whoever wrote it won’t want to think other people have read it.’
‘That’s true.’
‘I think I’d feel bad, though, just throwing it away. It’s so very personal.’
I nodded. ‘It would seem heartless to destroy it after someone’s poured their feelings out like that.’ I held up the paper. ‘I’ll go and empty the dishwasher and I’ll leave this in the kitchen for now, okay?’
Maddy nodded and went off to serve a customer, and I found myself hoping she would forget all about the sad little note.
I was alone in the kitchen.
Before bending to the dishwasher, I carefully folded the piece of paper and slipped it into my pocket.