‘Hey, little guy, have you been worrying your mum, hey?’ he asked, crooking a finger to stroke Samuel’s peachy cheek. Samuel jiggled his arms and chuckled delightedly. From the mouths of babes, as they said. Plainly Samuel rated Adam too.
‘I can’t wait to show Cassie the things I’ve bought.’ Kim glanced expectantly past him towards the kitchen.
Adam’s face clouded over. ‘Ah, sorry. She’s not feeling too well. She’s taken a sleeping pill and gone to bed early. She’ll be sad she’s missed you, but it’s probably best not to wake her.’
‘Oh no.’ Kim looked at him, alarmed. ‘Is she okay? She’s not poorly, is she?’
Adam shook his head. ‘No. She hasn’t been sleeping much, that’s all. I’m sure the rest will do her good.’
Kim nodded slowly. ‘Right, well…’ She glanced at him uncertainly. ‘I’ll call back then, shall I?’
‘You could. I think she’s home all day tomorrow. Since you’re here, though, you might want to show me,’ he suggested. ‘I’m possibly not the authority on baby clothes that Cassie is, but I’d love to see them.’
Kim hesitated. She didn’t want to appear blasé about the fact that Cassie had taken to her bed.
‘I was just about to put the kettle on,’ Adam added. ‘And I believe we have chocolate cake, if you fancy a slice.’
Kim eyed him. ‘You’re not trying to tempt me by any chance, are you?’
‘Absolutely,’ Adam assured her, his mouth curving into a smile as he nodded towards the kitchen.
Laughing, Kim followed him. ‘I’ll do it,’ she offered, heading for the kettle. ‘You’re going to struggle with your arms full of baby.’
‘I think your mother might be doubting my multi-tasking skills, Samuel, but we’ll let her off, shall we?’ Adam’s amused gaze was on the baby, who was searching his face and babbling excitedly. Kim watched in awe as Samuel stretched out a hand, which Adam caught, lowering his head to press a soft kiss to it.
‘He looks a lot like Josh, doesn’t he?’ she ventured, as Adam studied him with the same sense of wonder he always did.
His expression darkening, he took a second to answer. ‘Very much,’ he said hoarsely.
Kim’s heart ached for him. She wanted to go to him, to comfort him, but sensed that wouldn’t be a good move when he was clearly working to control his emotions. Emotions that would be in turmoil with everything coming at him. ‘Are you okay, Adam?’ she asked gently.
He attempted to compose himself, smiling for Samuel’s benefit. ‘Fine,’ he answered, his voice tight.
‘Are you sure?’ Kim pressed. He was visibly upset. She hadn’t come here with the intention of upsetting him further.
‘Positive.’ Adam looked up at her, and Kim felt her heart constrict. He had tears in his eyes. She’d never seen a grown man cry before. ‘I, er…’
His voice cracked as he trailed off, and she went to him. How could she not? ‘It’s okay, Adam,’ she said, sliding a comforting arm around his shoulders.
‘Damn. Sorry. Do you think you could…?’ Heaving in a breath, Adam nodded down at Samuel.
Understanding, Kim eased the baby from his arms. ‘You can talk to me, you know, Adam,’ she assured him. ‘I’m a good listener. And I promise you I’m the soul of discretion.’
Adam pressed his thumb and forefinger against his eyes and took another long breath. ‘It’s Cassie,’ he said at last, glancing at the ceiling. ‘She’s been accused of shoplifting. Charged, to be precise.’
‘Oh my God.’ Holding Samuel closer to her, Kim stared at him.
‘She says she didn’t…’ He faltered, his expression cautious as he scanned her face. ‘She hasn’t been well, as you know. And then, with what happened to Josh… She’s been distracted, depressed, I think. Not sleeping. She might have put something in her bag without realising. I probably shouldn’t have told you, but…’
‘You didn’t want me to hear it from anyone else,’ Kim finished sympathetically. ‘What was it?’ she asked him. ‘The item she…’
‘Hair straighteners.’ Adam laughed wryly.
Kim widened her eyes. ‘But that’s bonkers. She doesn’t need… Unless she wanted to straighten her fringe maybe?’ she pondered out loud.
‘I’ve no idea.’ Adam sighed heavily. ‘I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention it, Kim,’ he said, now looking guilty.
‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ Kim promised. ‘And if Cassie says anything, she can count on me for support. I get why she would have been distracted, trust me.’
Adam’s smile was one of immense relief. ‘Thanks,’ he said throatily. ‘I should probably go up and check on—’