‘I think I do.’ He put the glasses back on. ‘I’ll make sure to add some to my online order. Go on through, straight to the end. Follow the barking.’
Ella squeezed past Max and a staircase in the narrow hall, pushing open a door, aware of him behind her. Prim bounded over with a big grin, offering a welcome considerably more joyous than Max had. Ella had grown up with lots of pets and she was happy to indulge the lovely young dog.
‘Prim, stop it,’ he said sharply, pointing at her bed, but she completely ignored him to snuggle up to Ella. ‘Usually she can barely drag herself off the underfloor heating, but she obviously likes you.’
‘I like her too.’ Ella was stroking Prim’s head and darting quick glances around the room. This was much better, and she’d be perfectly happy to cook in here.
The cottage opened out into an extended family room, a pair of leather sofas at right angles to a cosy-looking stove already lit, a tall cream dresser against a wall between the sitting area and modern, L-shaped kitchen. She much preferred the clean granite worktops and large Aga to the hob in the flat. An island, with a sink on one side and bar stools on the other, wasn’t far away from a table that seated six, a laptop open on it with a glass of beer and a pile of planting books nearby. All the wood was aged oak and she couldn’t make out the darkened garden through the bifold doors. Christmas decorations were scattered around the room, a tree smothered in tinsel and baubles and strung with coloured lights glittering near the dresser. She shrugged out of her coat, draping it on the back of a stool.
‘We put the decorations up a bit early this year. The kids asked me and there wasn’t a reason to say no.’ Max had caught her looking. He settled in his chair and touched the laptop, brightening the screen back to life. ‘Do you mind sorting yourself out? I was just trying to finish some work before they get home. A friend picked them up from the party and took them back to her place.’
‘That’s fine.’ Ella hadn’t exactly thought this through in the urge to leave the flat or imagined she and Max would be alone while she prepared the pizzas. She didn’t recognise the classical piano music coming from a speaker but found it pleasant all the same. ‘I’ll try not to disturb you.’
‘You can make as much noise as you like. I’m not easily distracted unless Lily and Arlo start rioting. I mostly work when they’re not around so I can be with them when they are.’
‘Of course. That makes sense.’ Ella didn’t know quite what to do with herself in this new kitchen; usually she’d be completely at home in such a place. ‘Sorry, maybe it would be better if you could just quickly show me where things are. I don’t like to rummage through your private home, it feels a bit too familiar.’
‘If you prefer.’
Max opened cupboards, found a frying pan and a chef’s knife he assured her was his best. Ella had left her own knives in the flat and it didn’t seem worth running back to fetch them now. Tour over, he retreated to the table, and she wouldn’t have called it a companionable silence as she added warm water to a well she’d made in the dry ingredients and began to work the dough, kneading it with an experienced hand. She was almost ready to find somewhere for the dough to prove when he stood, holding his empty glass as he crossed to the kitchen.
‘Sorry, how rude of me, I should’ve asked you sooner. My mother would not be impressed with my manners.’ His hand was on the door of the American fridge-freezer.
‘What can I get you to drink? Glass of wine or a beer? Water? Juice? Coffee?’
‘Beer would be perfect, thank you.’
‘Is low-alcohol okay? I don’t drink very much, living out here with two young children. I prefer being able to drive if I need to.’
‘Sure.’ Ella had been investigating the Aga and turned to find him right behind her. His hand shot out of the way of her chest and the contents of the glass flew straight down her top. The beer soaked through to her bra, and the short sharp shock of cold liquid on her warm skin made her words a startled gasp. ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise you were there.’
‘Shit, sorry, totally my fault.’ Max grabbed a tea towel and flung it at her, snatching at kitchen roll to wipe up the puddle around her feet.
‘It’s fine.’ It wasn’t really; the beer was already staining a patch on her yellow top an unglamorous orange. Her bra felt glued to her skin, and she’d probably never get the marks out of the white lace. ‘Good thing Lily’s not back yet to hear you swear. I think you owe Prim a pound.’
‘You’re kidding me, right?’ He paused wiping and Ella wasn’t sure if his outrage was pretend or not until his eyes narrowed as he stared up at her. ‘Who’s going to tell her?’
‘Maybe I will. I’m on her side, you’re mean to Prim.’
‘Mean! Food twice a day, a snug bed – or on the sofa when my back’s turned – and as many treats as she can guzzle, plus all the stuff Arlo sneaks her from the table when he thinks I’m not looking. And I walk her every day.’
‘Still mean. You need to love her too, it’s obvious she adores you and dogs need love just as much as we do.’
‘Go ahead then, tell Lily if you like.’ Max finished clearing the puddle away and stood up. ‘I already gave her five pounds this morning, and I think I’ve still got one left to spend.’
He was very close, and Ella’s heart somersaulted at the flash of awareness in his gaze. She was overdoing the frantic swiping at her chest, and he backed away hurriedly.
‘Sorry about your top.’ His eyes were everywhere but on it and he yanked the fridge open. ‘I’ll get you that drink and try not to throw it over you this time.’
Prim gave a startled bark and leapt to her feet as Lily erupted into the room, skidding to a halt with Arlo, both clutching party bags and bobble hats. ‘Ella! Are you making our pizza? Is it ready yet? Daddy didn’t tell us you were going to be here.’
‘Daddy didn’t know. And no, Lily, it’s not ready. Ella’s not been here very long.’ Max left her new drink out of harm’s way and casually propped himself against the island.
She had a hand on the Aga’s towel rail, her heart still hammering. Insanity, that moment between her and Max, and if she had even a shred of common sense then she’d run right out of that door and leave him to feed his kids whatever the heck he wanted.
‘Hi Max, I hope we’re not late. I dropped my two at their dad’s on the way here.’ A woman followed Lily and Arlo into the room, and she too, stopped dead at the sight of Ella.
‘Sorry, I didn’t realise you had company.’
