eyes. Maybe she should tell her. Tell her everything: her worry, her fear and her dilemma. But that would be so unfair. How many times had Leo told Ellie that her relationship with Max was the one thing that gave her hope? There had to be a better way.
The twins dragged Leo back to their game, and Max did that magic thing that he often did to get up off the floor. One minute he was lying there, and then with some weird leap that appeared to require no effort, he was on his feet. He came and sat down beside her, and rested his arm along the back of the bench. She let her head drop onto his shoulder.
‘Thanks for doing such a great job with the kids, Max. You always have such fun, and I feel as if I’m missing out having to work all these extra shifts.’
Max rested his head on hers.
‘We miss you too, but it’s only this week that you’re short staffed isn’t it, and I like being in charge. Selfish as it sounds, I love having their undivided attention.’
Ellie felt a brief flash of happiness before reality struck her and tears flooded her eyes. Max had always said he loved his life - exactly as it was. He had never wanted to do anything but be a PE teacher. He enjoyed his job, and spent hours each week giving extra coaching to kids of all abilities. He had the knack of knowing how to deal with every type of character, from the bullies to the most timid child who hated the whole idea of sport. He somehow managed to get them all to join in and have a good time. From Ellie’s perspective, though, having him at home during the long holidays was a huge bonus, and they’d always had a great time together. When she wasn’t working, that is.
‘I was a bit worried about Penny last night,’ Ellie said, hoping her voice showed no trace of her brief emotional moment.
‘She phoned earlier, and she seemed fine. Gary had gone out. He’s apparently fallen in love with the Porsche, which he can’t afford, so unlike some of us his mission for the day is to go round car showrooms to find the next best thing. I’m sorry about the car, Ellie. I know I’m being stubborn. Give me a while and I’ll get used to having money.’
Ellie felt a burst of hope as Max appeared to be talking about the future.
‘It’s not your fault. Let’s forget it. Were there any other calls?’
Max shook his head.
‘Mimi left her cardigan last night. We need to let Pat know so that he can come and pick it up. Can you give him a call later?’ Ellie asked.
‘Yeah - no problem. I was thinking, though. I do think it might make things easier on Pat if we tried a bit harder with Mimi. I know you don’t like her, but he’s going through hell.’
Ellie sighed. What could she say? Perhaps she should tell Max what Mimi had said about him and Alannah - but she couldn’t. He might admit that it was true.
She stood up, and picked up the candle.
‘I’ll go and make lunch,’ she said. ‘I’ll give you a shout when it’s ready.’
Max turned his face up to hers with a smile.
‘What can I do to help?’ he asked.
‘Nothing. You sit there. You’ve done enough this morning. I’m going to put this somewhere - the downstairs loo, I think,’ she said, holding up the candle, ‘and then I’ll start on the prawns.’
She smiled at Max, and walked through into the kitchen and on towards the downstairs bathroom. She eyed the phone as she passed, and thought she might give Penny a quick call back to check if she was okay. She could never remember Penny’s number because having lived next door for so long, it had rarely been needed. Typing 1471 and hoping that Penny had called after Fiona, she listened as she heard the automated voice ‘the caller withheld their number’.
At one time, she would just have asked Max who had called, in all innocence. But now the sharp shard of suspicion pierced her fragile trust, leaving an aching void in its place. And to think that just moments ago she had begun to believe that everything was going to be all right, and perhaps her suspicions were unfounded.
On top of all these doubts and misgivings, she didn’t know what to do about Friday night. The