“Of course I haven’t! What do you take me for?”

“Do you actually want an answer to that question?”

Max was following her like an obedient Labrador, stopping beside her as she opened each of the shutters on the windows.

“We need to talk about Christmas.”

“What about Christmas?”

The door to the café was sticky, and she had to wiggle the key and push hard against the wood at the same time to get it open.

“I want us to have one last family Christmas together,” said Max. “You, me, and the boys.”

“Max, I can’t even think about what I’ll be doing for Christmas right now.” The door gave and Annie stumbled inside, Max on her heels.

“Well, you should, it’ll be here before you know it. Oh, this is nice!” he said, distracted by the café. “I’ve not been inside before. It’s a bit kitsch for my tastes, but . . .”

“I really don’t care for your tastes anymore, Max,” said Annie absently, as she began pulling the chairs down from the tables.

“Give me one last Christmas, Annie. Please! You’ve lost your faith in me, and I completely understand why. But I haven’t given up on you. There’s not another woman like you.”

“What about Ellie?”

“I told you, that’s over. She’s history; you’re my future.”

“For fuck’s sake, Max, where do you get these lines? Have you got shares in a fortune cookie factory?”

“I can’t stop thinking about that Sunday, you and me . . .”

“Try.”

“We were so hot. It was like we were kids again; remember when we couldn’t keep our hands off each other?”

“If you recall, Max, that Sunday ended with me asking for a divorce and half of all our assets.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“Well?”

“Just say you’ll think about Christmas,” said Max.

“I’ll think about Christmas if you agree to get a solicitor.”

Max smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Annie repressed a shudder.

“Have a good day,” he said.

He headed out for his car, leaving Annie feeling like she needed another shower. Still, at least she could get to her money now. Getting him to agree to her financial terms was going to be a whole other battle. And she was still waiting for John’s verdict on her offer.

Gemma’s car passed Max’s as she pulled into the space he had just left.

“Was that Max?” she asked, climbing out.

“Yes, it was.”

“He’s not like I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“Oh, you know, cloven hoofs and horns,” said Gemma.

Annie laughed. “The devil has many disguises! He wants us to spend Christmas together.”

Gemma pulled a face. “How do you feel about that?”

“Bah humbug!” said Annie.

Chapter 66