‘Dad reckons it’s not a real painting bee without beer.’

‘Too right,’ Trevor said, and winked.

‘Righto.’ Danny’s booming voice announced his arrival. ‘The cavalry is here. Let’s get to work,’ he said, placing a six pack on the table.

He stepped towards Nicole and it was all she could do not to collapse into his arms. She stopped herself – not until he knew the whole truth.

She couldn’t lead him on like this – it wasn’t fair. He didn’t have all the essential information.

He reached his hand out and brushed her hair aside. ‘Is everything okay?’ He asked, frowning. ‘I’ve kind of missed you this week.’

Oh, God. He didn’t deserve this. ‘Yes. Everything’s fine. Just a little overwhelmed.’

‘Ah, don’t be. We do this stuff all the time. We’ve got you covered.’ He winked and went to pick up his paintbrush and move to his allocated position.

‘I thought you’d be half done by now,’ Jim said as he and Cheryl walked in carrying a salad and apple crumble.

‘Wouldn’t want to start the fun without you,’ called Danny.

Trevor assigned everyone their jobs and, before too long, shades of Rain Cloud and Powder Puff were making their way across the walls.

Three hours into the bee, the first coat done in the living room and hallway, a voice called through the front door. ‘Anyone home?’

‘Come in, Jacqui!’ Mandy shouted from the living room.

‘Hope you don’t mind,’ she said, turning to Nicole, ‘I said they could stop by for lunch.’

Nicole must have looked terrified at the thought, because Mandy continued quickly. ‘Not the whole clan. Just Jacqui and Jason and the baby. Lord knows what little Joshua would do to the place with all this paint lying around.’

Nicole put her brush down and went up the hall to greet the latest arrivals and took the fruit salad from Jason and popped it in the now very full fridge.

Jacqui held out baby Amy for Nicole to have a hold.

‘Oh, no. Babies and I don’t get on,’ Nicole protested. But it was in vain, as Jacqui shoved Amy into her arms, leaving her no option but to hold on to the soft, pink bundle.

‘See,’ Jacqui said, ‘you’re a natural.’

Nicole held Amy in the crook of her arm, petrified. Her terror gave way to heartache as she held the tiny bundle.

She looked down at the large, dark eyes staring back at her.

Nicole was mesmerised and they locked eyes and for a moment she was enchanted. Then Amy burped. And then she vomited. Right onto Nicole’s shirt.

‘Oh, I’m so sorry,’ said Jacqui, wiping the milky liquid with a towel she had been carrying.

‘Pretty much the standard reaction I entice from little ones,’ Nicole said, grinning. ‘Lucky I’m in my painting gear.’

Danny walked in. ‘What’s that awful smell?’