Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 160356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 802(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 802(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
“Don’t bother with mince pies,” Dec says, appearing from the lounge.
“Is he okay?” I ask.
“Is who okay?” April looks between us.
“Mr. Percival,” Dec says, going to the table and picking up a letter, starting to open it. “He has a headache.”
April grins at me. “Done and dusted?”
“Yes,” I breathe, dropping my head back. “Finally. The team moves in January third to start work on floating the company.”
“Congratulations!” She hauls me in for one of her much-appreciated, warm hugs, and then joins Blaine in the kitchen. I seriously love having a big sister too. Something I hadn’t realised was missing from my life until April filled that space with her unconditional love. It’s more than I get from Graham, but at least we’re relatively civil now, and it’s wonderful to have Mindy and my niece and nephew back in my life. Dominic’s baby was born in January. I didn’t flinch when Mindy told me. I just felt . . . indifferent, I suppose. And indifference feels like a win.
“W here’s my gorgeous nephew?” she yells.
“In the playroom!” Albi shouts back.
“Maureen!” Blaine yells. “Off the worktop!”
I chuckle to myself. Christmas chaos. Perfect.
I look at Dec, seeing his forehead crinkled with concentration as he reads the letter in his hand. “What’s up?” I ask.
“It’s Chelsea.”
I stand taller, naturally. She did what Dec expected and told me he’d kissed her. That he still loved her. In fact, she came to my office especially to do so. And I had security remove her. I can’t lie, I was shaking like a leaf, but I held my own. We haven’t seen her since, but we’ve heard from her. She wanted half of Dec’s assets . . . but not Albi. It’s sickening. She was told to jog on by Dec’s lawyers, to try and stake a claim. But Dec being Dec offered her some money anyway—money for a signature to never come near Albi again. She couldn’t sign the paperwork fast enough. I don’t know how much money was involved. I didn’t ask, and Dec didn’t tell.
“Everything okay?”
“I’m divorced,” he says, looking up at me. “Officially.” He shows me the paper, not that I can see it, because he’s shaking.
“You knew it was coming,” I say gently.
“I know.” He folds the paper slowly and tucks it in the drawer of the cabinet. “I just . . . I don’t know. I guess there was always that fear she’d recant on the agreement.”
I go to him, taking his hands. “So we’re both single, huh?”
He smirks and seizes me, curling his arm around my neck so I’m virtually in a headlock and pulling me closer. “Huh,” he murmurs, rolling his mouth onto mine. And it’s lush. Relieving.
She’s gone. I’m divorced. Dec’s divorced.
“We’ve got to get to the shops before they close,” I murmur into his mouth, sliding my hands up his back.
“Hmmm.” He agrees but doesn’t release me.
And I don’t fight him off either.
We’re both happy where we are, our tongues swirling languidly, holding each other.
Until we’re interrupted.
“Ewwww, gross!” Albi moans, and I laugh.
“Okay, we’re done.” I release Dec and fight back my fluster, narrowing my eyes when he raises his brows. “Are we ready?”
“Ready!” Albi sings.
“Are you going to say goodbye to Mr. Percival?” Dec asks, grabbing his keys off the side.
“He’s not napping yet?”
“No.”
“I’ll see him when we get back,” I say, checking my phone. We’re pushing it for time already.
“Just go say bye to him,” Dec says, encouraging me toward the lounge. “You know how he is.”
How he is? “How is he?” I ask, letting Dec push me on.
“Just say goodbye.” He practically shoves me past the doors. “We’ll wait in the car.” He grabs Albi, and they disappear, and I shake my head in exasperation, finding my email confirmation for my collection as I go to the couch where Mr. Percival’s sitting, armed with the remote control.
“Bloody marvellous thing this is, isn’t it?”
“What?” I ask, watching as he flicks through the channels.
“Look! Every episode of Dad’s Army. Bleeding heck, I can watch them all together.”
I laugh and dip to kiss his cheek. “Take your nap, we’re popping to the shops. Need anything?”
“Got my brandy, dear,” he says, tapping the breast pocket of his tweed jacket where his hip flask is tucked in the inside pocket. “Oh dear, you’ve got your shoes on.”
I look down at my boots. Dec’s fault. I turn to hurry out. “See you—” I freeze, eyes locked on the wall above the fireplace, where the collage of photos of Albi and Dec hang. “Oh my God,” I whisper, trying to take it all in. Not the photos of them, as I see them every day. Smile at them every day.
But today there are more. Beautifully framed portraits, all black and white.
Of Noah. Of me and Noah. Of me and my mum. Me and my dad. Noah and my mum and dad. And me with Dec and Albi.