‘They live in Fairmont Heights,’ I added, enjoying telling him this.
Jay raised his brows. ‘Are you sure they’ll let you drive our little banger through the gates?’
I laughed. ‘She’s not like that, I swear. She’s so down to earth.’ I knew I was gushing but I was excited. ‘I can’t wait for you to meet her.’
14
LIV
The following day, I crept along Fairmont Heights, taking in the mansions set back off the street behind gates, each house bigger than the next. When I arrived at the address Maya had given me, I pressed the buzzer on the gates. As I peered through the bars, I noticed a circular fountain made a roundabout of sorts on the driveway. Low-level box hedging lined the gravel on either side and made a border in front of the house. I gulped as I took in the two-storey, buttermilk-bricked, faux Georgian mansion that Maya called home. A contemporary glass extension hugged the house on one side and a striped lawn swept around the other side. After a moment, the gates parted and I drove along the biscuit-coloured gravel. When I arrived in front of the house, I silenced the engine. Before I had even opened the car door, Maya appeared on the top step with Elliot standing beside her, waving at us.
I opened the door of the car and climbed out. I greeted Maya as I went around to the rear door for Finn. ‘Look, Finn, there’s Elliot,’ I said excitedly, as I unbuckled him from his seat and helped him down from the car. Today was the first time that I took the time to properly observe Elliot. He was a beautifulchild; he had fine, almost-feminine features. He possessed the same high cheekbones as his mother, thick, dark lashes and brows that arched like chevrons.
We climbed the steps and Maya hugged me warmly. I handed her the cellophane-wrapped lilies I had bought in the petrol station on the drive over, suddenly rethinking my choice – I doubted Maya would ever choose to buy flowers so gauche for her home – but if she thought it, to her credit, she didn’t show it. ‘Sorry, I know they’re not the best but I didn’t want to turn up empty-handed,’ I explained.
‘Thank you, Liv, you shouldn’t have brought anything. Come on in, you’re both very welcome to our home,’ she said, gesturing for us to enter.
‘Your house is beautiful,’ I couldn’t help gush as I stepped inside the vast entrance hall. The walls were panelled halfway up and chequered floor tiles covered the floor. An expansive curved staircase with a mahogany monkey-tail handrail swept upwards to the first floor.
‘Well, maybe hold judgement until you see the mess inside,’ she laughed self-deprecatingly.
I followed Maya down the hallway where black and white family portraits hung and we entered a sun-filled room where glass sliders looked out onto the manicured lawn. The kitchen was decorated in shades of white, giving a nuanced and clean effect. I looked around for the ‘mess’ Maya had referred to and the only things out of place were a drinking glass sitting beside the sink and couple of toys scattered on the floor in front of a toy chest.
‘Elliot, why don’t you show Finn your toys,’ Maya suggested.
Finn followed Elliot over to the toy chest.
‘Would you like a latte?’ Maya offered.
‘Um, well, don’t go to any trouble. Instant coffee is fine.’
‘It’s no trouble.’ She went over and pushed a panel that turned out to be a secret door leading into a pantry. I could hear the hiss and froth of milk as Maya made the coffee. She returned a few minutes later with the latte in a glass mug, exactly like I would get in a coffee shop, and a black coffee for herself. She placed a plate of muffins down onto the marble.
‘Did you make these yourself?’ I asked, shocked.
‘I did. I know you like muffins so I hope these are okay,’ she said anxiously. ‘I made some of these for the boys,’ she went on, producing a plate of cookies. ‘Don’t tell them but they don’t have any sugar.’ She winked. ‘Elliot thinks they’re chocolate chips but they’re actually made from dates.’
‘Everything looks delicious. I can never resist these,’ I said, reaching for a muffin. I bit into it and buttery crumbs fell all over my jeans and the floor. ‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ I said, ‘Look at me making a mess.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Maya said with a wave of her hand. As I went in for another bite, I noticed she hadn’t taken one. I began to feel self-conscious eating alone so eventually, I left it unfinished on the plate.
Just then, we heard raised voices coming from the boys and we both turned to see what was going on.
‘Give it back!’ Elliot shouted at Finn, roughly tugging the toy car that he was holding out of his hands. Finn stood there, looking shocked.
‘Hey, come on, Elliot,’ Maya called over to her son. ‘You have to share your toys,’ she scolded.
‘I don’t want to!’ he shouted back, pouting.
‘Elliot, that’s not nice. You’re making me sad.’
Finn wandered over to my side.
‘Would you like one of Maya’s yummy cookies?’ I asked, holding out the plate to him. He picked up a cookie, took a bite and quickly wrinkled his face as he chewed.
‘These are ascusting, Mammy.’
‘Finn!’ I was mortified.
