CHAPTER 1
Emmy
“Make a wish!”Annabel shouts from across the table as a huge and slightly wonky cake is laid before me.
The words ‘Happy Birthday Emmy’ are piped haphazardly across the generous frosting and the whole thing is listing slightly, as if it’s about to collapse.
Annabel beams at me, a smear of frosting still on her cheek. At five years old, my goddaughter is an enthusiastic baker – though not necessarily gifted in ensuring her creations have structural integrity.
I dutifully close my eyes and blow out the candles. I make a wish.
Half an hour later, I’ve got a mouth full of birthday cake and a toddler balanced on each leg. Annabel’s taken to feeding me herself and is giggling as she hovers another forkful in front of my nose. My hands are full holding her brothers up and the scene is as chaotic as it is wholesome. I smile back at Annabel as Austin, the smaller of the twins, wipes a chocolatey hand across my white T-shirt.
“Austin! Auntie Emmy is not a napkin! Annabel! Emmy might have had enough by now darling; you don’t want to makeher sick,” chides Chloe, my best friend and mother to all the small children surrounding me.
She gives me an apologetic look as she whisks Austin away in search of a wet wipe, leaving me with Ben and Annabel. Ben gives me a toothy smile as chocolatey drool lands on my jeans.
“Lucky, I don’t have any big plans tonight, kiddo,” I say, mussing his hair. He snuggles into me and my T-shirt is toast. I wonder if chocolate frosting stains.
“Darling, please have another drink. I’m so sorry about your outfit. Kids!” Chloe chuffs, thrusting a glass of white wine into my hand and toasting me with a clink. “Happy birthday, gorgeous. 32! And thriving!”
I laugh and raise my glass, beaming back at her. Chloe’s been my best friend since we were 13. She insisted on throwing me a party when she discovered my husband, Colin, was going to be away for the weekend, working on a deal for the job he’s married to. I didn’t mind much but Chloe was outraged that Colin didn’t think that my birthday was a priority. She’s good like that.
“What’s his excuse this time then?” she says, perching on the sofa and stealing Ben from my lap.
Austin bangs a wooden spoon on a pan at my feet as Annabel starts up a rousing rendition ofLet it Gofrom the next room. My cake has been abandoned on the floor. Chloe grimaces but I just laugh. I love these kids.
“A deal is on the line,” I deadpan back. “You know he’s very committed to making partner this year. It’s fine.” I wave a hand around as if physically dispelling any hurt I might have felt at playing second fiddle yet again.
Chloe gives me a look. “It’s not fine though, is it? It’s your birthday. He couldn’t take a night off? Did he get you a present at least?”
“I’m sure there will be something waiting at home for me,” I muse, taking a big gulp of sauvignon blanc. I’m notactuallysure but I don’t really want to give Chloe any more ammo.
She’s hugely protective of me and hasn’t liked Colin in the entire time I’ve known him. I met him when I was 18. It was love at first sight for me but he’s never been good enough in Chloe’s eyes. I’m not sure anyone would be. My parents died in a car accident the year we met and she’s loved me with the ferocity of a sister ever since.
Colin and I had a whirlwind romance and married young. He’s been chasing his dream of becoming partner at his firm for the last few years and I’ve been busy building a steady career in the charity sector. Our worlds couldn’t be further apart but we’ve been together for over a decade – I don’t expect perfection.
Chloe on the other hand struck gold with her husband. She met Joshua, an engineer with a great smile and an irrepressible sense of humour, when we were 24. They’ve been together for eight years and can barely keep their hands off each other. He’s attentive, and kind, and treats her like a queen. Exactly as Chloe deserves. He’s also really goofy, which means he’s basically the perfect dad.
As if my thoughts have summoned him, Josh appears in the doorway with an open bottle of wine.
“Top up, ladies?” he calls, waggling the bottle.
“Please!” Chloe replies for us both, grinning.
“So, 32! What are your grand plans for the year?” Josh plonks down on the sofa next to us and pours us all a fresh glass.
I take a sip of wine before I answer.
Life’s felt a bit… stagnant lately. I’m so lucky – I’ve got a great job, an amazing bestie, the most adorable goddaughter, a husband, and a lovely house in Zone 2. On paper, I have it all.
So why don’t I feel excited by anything?
I plaster a smile on my face. “All I hope is that this year brings a few surprises and a lot of adventures, especially with my favourite five-year-old!”
I divert to tickle Annabel who’s waltzed back into the room wearing an Elsa dress, but Chloe gives me a side eye, raising a brow. She’s not convinced and neither am I. But birthdays are about wine, not about existential crises, so she doesn’t push it further.
Josh grins at me and toasts to a year of adventures. I relax back into the sofa.
