Bella tried to take it all in. The hardest part was that she’d finally reconciled herself to the idea that she could fall in love again this quickly after Evan. To do that, only to find it wasn’t to be seemed an especially cruel twist of fate.

‘How’s Freddie been in your class?’ she asked, not wanting to dwell on that particular aspect too much.

‘He’s been happy, but you can’t really blame him. I think he’s still quite uncertain. He’s been a little quiet at times and I think he’s worried what people will say.’

‘He must be a mess of emotions.’

‘I’m sure Nick’s doing his best to keep him level and calm,’ said Cynthia. ‘But I’d like to know why he hasn’t been round to see you so you can talk about everything that’s happened. He owes you that much.’

Bella thought so too, but she knew Nick well enough now to understand that he was the type of man who had to get his head around things before he could reach out to anyone else. It had taken him a long time to ask even his best friends for help with childcare. She couldn’t expect him to come round until he knew exactly how he felt and decided what he was going to say. Her spirits sank further. Based on what Paige was saying, his not coming around meant the future he wanted wasn’t with her. He’d chosen the mother of his child. His wife.

Cynthia, who still held Bella’s hand, gave it a squeeze. ‘Shall we wrap these last presents then? You won’t have time with the school play tomorrow.’

‘It’s fine. I’ll do them later,’ Bella replied. She couldn’t muster the energy right now.

After Evan had left, the giving tree had kept her going and it spoke to the depth of her feelings for Nick, that even that couldn’t lift her spirits. Bella drank a large mouthful of wine and rested her head against the side of the sofa. She’d really fallen for Nick Cowley and his son, and her life seemed bare and empty without them.

Chapter 27

‘Are you okay?’ asked Nina, as the children dashed in and out of the toilet for one last wee before showtime. ‘Is she going to be here tonight?’

‘I imagine so,’ Bella replied, tuning back in to Nina’s question. ‘She’ll want to see his play, won’t she?’

‘Who knows,’ Nina replied with a shrug before she took her group back to the classroom.

It was too much to hope that Nick would come alone, or Paige chose not to attend. Freddie would have begged her to be here to see all the hard work he’d put in.

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ Johnny asked.