Vivvi’s gaze flicked from Loren to Nico speculatively.

Nico glanced between his ex-wife and ex-mother-in-law. ‘Vivvi, maybe you could take the girls out?’ he said wearily. ‘Loren and I need to talk.’

Chapter Twenty-Four

Hannah couldn’t turn into the drive of Honeybun because a car was parked across it. She pulled up behind and, catching her breath at the icy air as she jumped from the car, scampered towards the gate.

‘Hannah!’ shouted an excited young voice, making her swing around. ‘We’ve been to The Angel with Grandma for cake. Why have you got tinsel on your hat?’ Josie bounded towards her, hood up and cheeks pink. A middle-aged woman in a stylish coat of grey wool hurried to catch up, Maria in the buggy slapping her hands on the sides and shouting, ‘Out!’

‘Oof!’ Hannah gasped as Josie cannoned into her midriff. ‘Is everything OK? I’ve been working at the Christmas Opening of Carlysle Courtyard today. I thought you were coming along. Hello, Maria!’ She waved, which made Maria stop slapping long enough to wave back. Hannah smiled at the woman guardedly. ‘Hello.’

The woman didn’t alter her pinched expression but asked Josie, ‘Is this Daddy’s friend Hannah?’

Josie beamed. ‘Yes! Hannah, Grandma let us have cake for supper. I had two bits. Dad’ll go mad.’

The woman’s lips tightened at the implied criticism and Hannah decided, diplomatically, not to comment. Parent–grandparent politics weren’t her field.

‘Hello,’ she tried again in an effort not to be dismissed. ‘I’m Hannah Goodbody.’

‘Vivvi Myot,’ the woman replied briefly. Maria was still shouting so, tutting, Vivvi unfastened her straps and swung the little girl brusquely to the ground. ‘Here you are then, miss.’

Hannah put out her arms. ‘Hello, Maria! How are you?’

‘Hat!’ Maria demanded, trying to snatch Hannah’s red woolly hat.

‘Maria fell downstairs and got a nose bleed,’ Josie gabbled. ‘Then Mum and Grandma came and—’

‘Chatterbox!’ Vivvi interposed sharply. ‘Please hold your sister’s hand and take her indoors to Mummy and Daddy before she gets cold. I’ll be there in a minute when I’ve folded up the buggy.’

‘But—’ Josie began rebelliously.

‘Do as you’re told.’ Vivvi raised admonishing eyebrows.

‘OK,’ Josie sighed, leading Maria away.

Hannah started after them but then halted, suddenly conscious of the uncertainty of her role here. Loren was visiting. She was Josie and Maria’s mother so no surprise … except she was supposed to be in rehab. That might explain Nico’s odd silence today.

Vivvi collapsed the buggy with a couple of snaps. ‘Just a moment.’

Neck prickling, Hannah turned back.