‘Actually, it’s lovely to swim at the outdoor pool. It’s like swimming in a warm bath and the people are really friendly.’
Silence fell over the table, the only sound the scrape of cutlery and gurgles from Jemima.
‘So, tell us more about this woman who lives upstairs, Maddie,’ Greg said around a mouthful of burnt roast potato.
Maddie pushed a bit of leathery beef around in the gravy, hoping for lubrication. ‘She’s… nice. Not the type of person I would normally meet, really.’
‘I can’t say I’ve ever met any of your friends,’ Gemma said.
‘Well, a lot of our friends are also Maddie’s friends, Gem,’ Greg said.
Maddie ignored the smirk on Gemma’s face. She knew that many of Maddie’s so-called friends had backed Greg when they split up. It was too uncomfortable to be friends with Maddie, what with how unstable she had been. The sorrow coming off her in waves was quite the repellent socially. She became something to be whispered about deliciously at dinner parties rather than being invited to them.
‘Well, it’s a good time for you to branch out and meet some new people. I would hate to think you’re lonely,’ Gemma said.
Maddie pointedly turned to Greg, cutting Gemma from the conversation. ‘Jade is nice. A single mum, which must be very hard. The father of her son isn’t around, so she does it all herself. And Ben is a sweet kid, very quiet but calm.’
As she was saying this, Jemima was banging another spoon against the highchair table and gurgling, spit bubbles popping on her lips. Maddie smiled at her. Gemma scowled.
‘Greg, babe, can you get her a book or soft toy or something? That noise is going right through my head.’
Greg scraped his chair back on the black slate floor with an ear-piercing squeal and started rooting in a box of toys in the corner of the room. Jemima was too far away from Maddie for her to reach out and play with her. Gemma had put her at a safe distance away on the other side of the table, but Maddie smiled and started making faces at Jemima anyway, who giggled and banged the spoon harder.
Greg sat down again and handed Jemima a book about lions, the cover bright with orange fluff like an untamed mane. He calmly swapped out the spoon.
‘You’re too nice for your own good sometimes, Mads. I’m sure she’s great and all that, but don’t let her take advantage of you, of your generosity, just because she has a kid,’ Greg said.
Maddie stiffened. ‘It’s not like that. Yes, I think Jade has it quite hard, you know? And I’m happy to help her, but we also have a good laugh when we’re together. The other night for instance. Nothing fancy, just a few glasses of wine at hers watching Netflix.’
‘I’m glad,’ Greg said. ‘Sounds like fun – bet I’d have been asleep in minutes though. These days I can’t keep my eyes open for very long.’ He chuckled.
‘Yes, we are both too tired for anything these days. Once we have Jemima in bed, we’re lucky if we have the energy to eat before going to bed for a bit of a cuddle – we always have time for that, don’t we, darling? – and a few hours’ sleep before she wakes up for her feed,’ Gemma said.
‘Well, you look rather energised on it all, Gemma,’ Maddie said politely.
‘I put it down to yoga every morning and my special green smoothie with antioxidants. I’ll give you the recipe if you like. It will brighten your skin instantly, maybe help with some of those fine lines, and give you a new lease of life.’
‘It also helps that I do the night bottles so that Gem can sleep,’ Greg said. ‘I don’t mind. It’s a lovely opportunity for a cuddle with my baby girl.’ He reached out and ran his hand over Jemima’s halo of curls and Maddie’s heart squeezed.
‘You’re too good, Greg. Not many men would be so hands-on. You’re an amazing father,’ Maddie replied softly.
He smiled at her in return. ‘Thank you. That means a lot.’
Gemma scraped her chair back, the noise cutting through the moment. ‘Is everyone done? We still have Madeleine’s lovely pudding to get through and I’m sure you won’t want to be getting home too late. Besides, we have bath and story-time to do soon.’
‘Oh, Mads, you should stay for that. You could do her story if you like?’ Greg said.
Gemma looked like she might implode. It would be so easy to accept Greg’s invitation and Maddie was sorely tempted, but she was feeling drained all of a sudden. She said instead, ‘Thanks Greg, but I’ll head off after pudding.’
‘Well, let’s top you up with another glass then, while Gem clears the table.’ He refilled her glass before she could object.
‘I have to drive home though.’
‘Oh, nonsense. I’ll get you an Uber home and you can pick up your car tomorrow. It’s just around the corner.’
‘Ok, why not? Gemma, let me help you with the plates and I’ll warm up the pudding too. It needs a careful touch so that it doesn’t dry out.’
Gemma clattered the plates together unnecessarily.
Maddie followed her impossibly toned arse into the kitchen.
‘That was delicious, thank you, Gemma.’
Gemma nodded in acknowledgement as she scraped leftovers, of which there were a lot, into the bin.
Maddie started rinsing the plates in the sink, lowering her voice as she said, ‘You know, I’d really like us to be friends if we can. Greg is still a part of my life and I’m not here to get in the way. You two have a family now and I respect that.’
Gemma turned to her, her smile glacial. ‘Of course, I’d like that too. But I think it’s healthy if we keep some boundaries in place, don’t you? Less confusing for you. I tell you what, I have your number. I’ll send you that smoothie recipe and if you need any advice
