‘I’ll find a vase for those,’ Jay said, taking the flowers from Liv and opening cupboards before locating one.
‘Where’s Finn?’ I asked, looking around.
‘He’s watching TV,’ Jay said. ‘I don’t know about Elliot, but Finn is addicted to TV.’ He rolled his eyes.
‘Elliot is the same; I have to limit his screen time or he’d never get off it.’ I paused and took a deep breath. ‘Look, the reason why I called over was because I just wanted to say sorry for last night. I couldn’t sleep after we went home. I didn’t see what happened between Elliot and Finn but I promise you both that I’m keeping a close eye on Elliot’s behaviour.’
‘Aw, Maya please don’t worry,’ Liv jumped in, full of heart. ‘They’re five; they’re still figuring out how to play nicely. We understand.’ She turned to her husband. ‘Don’t we, Jay?’
He nodded in agreement but it was a reluctant gesture, like he wasn’t quite convinced.
‘And…’ I went on, dreading this next bit. ‘I also feel I should apologise for how Hugo handled it. I know he can be…’ I paused for the right word before settling on, ‘…difficult.’
‘It’s not up to you to apologise for him, Maya,’ Jay spoke up.
‘Well, still, I just want both of you to know that I’m sorry for how the evening turned out and I’ll be keeping a close eye on Elliot to make sure that something like this doesn’t happen again.’
‘Honestly, let’s just forget about it,’ Liv said. ‘I don’t want this to come between us.’
‘I’m sure it was an accident like Elliot said,’ Jay said, softening.
Liv’s head turned in her husband’s direction.
‘They’re kids; they’re not in control of their emotions,’ he went on.
Liv nodded in agreement.
‘Well, I appreciate you being so good about it,’ I went on.
‘How about I make you both some breakfast?’ Jay nodded in his wife’s direction. ‘Sleeping Beauty hasn’t eaten yet and you don’t want to see her when she gets hangry.’
Liv laughed. ‘That would be lovely, thanks, love,’ she said.
‘You’re a lucky woman,’ I nudged Liv. ‘There is nothing sexier than a man who can cook.’
Jay blushed. ‘I don’t know about that,’ he said shyly, ‘but I enjoy it.’
‘You’re too modest. The food last night was amazing. Hugo wouldn’t know how to make a bowl of cereal,’ I said.
They rewarded me with a laugh.
‘I wish I was joking,’ I added grimly.
Liv and I chatted while Jay moved around the kitchen pulling out ingredients. He began frying some bacon and mashing an avocado, leaving a trail of bowls and discarded chopping boards on every surface as he worked but Liv didn’t seem to mind. A few minutes later, he served me a tasty-looking plate of sourdough bread, heaped with avocado and crispy bacon.
‘Oh my goodness, this looks delicious,’ I exclaimed.
‘That’s homemade sourdough,’ Jay added proudly. ‘I started making it in lockdown and I’ve kept it going.’
Liv rolled her eyes. ‘That starter is like our second child.’
I laughed.
I used my knife to saw through the crust and brought a forkful up to my mouth. ‘This is divine. If I lived with you, Jay, I’d be obese.’ I laughed.
‘Life is too short to be worrying about calories. Food is meant to be enjoyed.’
‘Tell that to the scales.’ I groaned.
