Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Hannah made him agree to speak to a financial advisor on how they could work on paying off their debt, which I was glad to hear. The most important part was that he wasn’t going to make a report about me to Fabers any longer, and that was a weight off my mind.
I was taking a week off for Christmas, so I was free to go pick Mam up from the airport. Normally, I’d try to get Frances or Glen to do it, but since she was staying with me, it was my responsibility. Not to mention, she was in a mood over the fact that I was leaving her for two days to go to the wedding with Jonathan. She didn’t know who I was going with. I merely told her I was attending as a plus one of a friend from work.
“Wow, very nice,” Mam exclaimed when I pulled into the car park outside the apartment building. She stared up, impressed. “You’ve certainly landed on your feet here, Ada.”
“I’m very lucky Jonathan offered to rent the apartment to me. Oh, and wait until you see the view,” I told her as I helped her with her bags. We headed inside, and I waved hello to Larry at the security desk before showing Mam onto the lift.
As soon as we stepped foot in the apartment, she was besotted, admiring the furnishings and, of course, the view from the balcony.
“It’s a pity we’re not having Christmas dinner here,” she said. “Frances’ house is always so cramped.”
“Frances has spent a lot of time preparing for this year’s dinner. She’s looking forward to hosting us.”
“I suppose,” Mam harrumphed and folded her arms like a moody child. I pressed my lips together to keep from commenting on her immaturity. She’d only just arrived, and already, she was wearing on my nerves. Luckily, I’d become a master at appearing unbothered by her attitude.
“Last year, Leonora and I made dinner. We hosted at her house,” I said, a wave of grief hitting me at the memory, especially since I’d spent two hours last night looking through Dad’s photo albums. Most of them were pictures of Frances and me from childhood, but there were also more recent ones of Dad and Leonora. Those pictures punctuated the empty spot in my life they’d left behind and how much I missed them.
“I had no idea it would be our last Christmas together,” I finished sadly.
Mam shot me a commiserating smile, looking a little uncomfortable at my display of emotion, but she came and comforted me, nonetheless, patting my shoulder.
“That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to visit. Your father’s passing has made me ever more aware that I only have so many Christmases left.”
“Mam, you’re only sixty.”
“And freak accidents happen all the time. Look at your dad and Leonora. They had no idea that holiday would be their last.”
I nodded, my stomach hollowing as I thought of them.
“And that’s why I wish you’d cancel attending this wedding. I want to spend as much quality time with you as possible while I’m here.”
“Mam, I can’t cancel. Besides, you can use the days I’m gone to spend time with the triplets.”
“Hmm,” she said, not seeming very enthused. As I’d said, my mother wasn’t a kid person. I mean, she loved the triplets; she just didn’t love spending an extended amount of time in their company. Her tolerance typically lasted about a half an hour before she grew irritated by their energy and general six-year-old exuberance. I was the opposite. I loved kids and would happily spend hours playing with dolls and other toys to entertain them, even if, admittedly, it was exhausting.
To distract Mam from the fact that I’d be gone for two days during her visit, I made use of the spa voucher Jonathan had gifted me and booked us in for facials followed by full body massages. Mam was in a much better mood by the time we arrived back at the apartment, and I cooked us roast chicken for dinner.
“So,” Mam began after we’d eaten and settled on the couch to watch a festive themed romcom. “Where is this elusive landlord of yours? I thought he’d stop by and say hello by now.”
I bristled at her mention of Jonathan. I missed him, but the plan was to avoid running into each other while Mam was there. I didn’t need her propositioning him again like she had at Dad’s funeral.
“He works very long hours. He’s rarely home, so you probably won’t see him.”
“A pity.”
I frowned, uncomfortable with the level of irritation I felt. I didn’t want to give Mam an opportunity to flirt with Jonathan, even though I knew it would never be reciprocated on his part. I was far too possessive of him. I’d never felt this level of protectiveness over a new relationship. Sure, I’d been hesitant when introducing my mother to my previous partners, but that was only because I knew how she’d behave. With Jonathan, it was different. I feared I’d fallen for him without fully realising it. Or perhaps I just didn’t want to accept how much he’d burrowed his way into my heart.