‘Nelly, you’re one of the few people in this world who have said that. Everyone thinks about Molly’s needs, and mine get disregarded. I would love to shout about my son.’
We both go silent for a while. I think about everything he’s been through. I am not surprised he’s been acting chaotic living here.
* * *
When I wake up and head to the bathroom, I find it empty. I check the kitchen and the living room, but there’s no sign of Oliver.
As I make my morning coffee and feed Lenny, I hear the front door slam shut.
‘Morning, Nelly,’ Oliver calls, grinning as he walks up the hallway and stands in the doorway to the kitchen. I blink. He’s in a white T-shirt that clings to his chest, blue running shorts and trainers. His hair is damp with sweat, and his arms are flushed with exertion.
I immediately pretend to need something in a drawer.
A moment later, he’s leaning casually in the doorway, his chest rising and falling, and his cheeks pink. The sight of him sends my brain into a mild meltdown. I try to stamp out the flutters and warmth that’s coursing through my veins, but I can’t.
He lifts his T-shirt to wipe his brow, and I look up. Oh, God, he has defined abs.
‘How are you?’
I’m trying to erase the image of his tanned abs from my mind.
‘Nelly?’
‘I’m fine. How are you?’
He smiles. ‘Thanks for listening to me last night. I woke up this morning and felt lighter. This bed-sharing arrangement will help me.’
‘That’s good.’
‘I woke up early and thought I would go for a run.’ He wipes his sweaty forehead with his T-shirt, and once again I get to see those delicious abs.
I can feel my face reddening.
‘I need to get ready for work.’
As I pass, he steps out of my way. ‘I’m looking forward to tonight. Bed-sharing is becoming the highlight of my day.’
I glance back at him, and he shoots me a dazzling smile. It takes my heart a long time to recover.
33
‘Frank’s ex-girlfriend has gone into labour,’ Miranda announces as she arrives later than usual. ‘Her waters burst in the early hours.’
‘Oh – is she okay?’
‘She’s fine but doesn’t want Frank present at the birth. He’s at home frantically trawling Google for articles on how to be a father. While he was locked away in his study, I had to make his mother her soft egg and make sure she took the right medication.’
I watch Miranda dump her handbag on the till counter and let out a heavy sigh. It makes me recall my vision on her: how her love ends with Frank pushing a baby in a buggy. She’s been with Frank for over fifteen years, and this must be a shock. Even though she’s a nightmare boss, shares far too much about her love life, and acts like a lovesick schoolgirl when Oliver is around, she’s still human. Endings are painful and messy.
‘Are you okay, Miranda?’
She turns to me, and I can see her eyes are pink and watery. ‘I don’t want to be a stepmother, Nelly. I have never wanted kids, and this situation with Frank has not changed my view.’
‘Have you spoken to Frank?’
She nods. ‘He keeps saying that when I see his new baby, I will melt and have an urge to buy baby clothes, change nappies and stay up all night singing nursery rhymes.’
I know she keeps questioning what goes on inside Frank’s head, but I now find myself having the same thoughts. Miranda and small babies do not mix well. The other day, a woman had a baby in a buggy, and she couldn’t get it to stop crying. After five minutes, Miranda had to go lie down in the back room, as she claimed the noise had given her a migraine. If she doesn’t get her full eight hours’ sleep, she’s evil and hates getting her hands dirty.
