15
THEA
As Thea pulled into the yard, the car’s engine shuddered to a noisy halt. She had no choice but to park next to Felix’s pristine vehicle, giving one of its tyres a mental kick as she passed. Hefting her shopping bags from the boot, she breathed in the air of home. The yard, as usual, looked immaculate. There wasn’t a day that went by when she didn’t thank the gods for Kitty. Even pregnant, she had a way of making things happen.
The car boot clunked shut, and as Thea stepped through her front door, she stopped short, doing a double take. Had she walked into the right house? Was this really Small Oaks Farm? The last time she’d seen it this clean was when their mum ruled the roost.
The carpet was clear of Barbies. There were no stranded Lego pieces, and not one discarded coloured pencil lay in the middle of the hallway. Thea drew her eyebrows tight together. Had Felix tidied up?
A knot formed in her gut, and she dropped her shopping bags to the floor, unsure how she felt about him spring cleaning. If he was responsible, she should be grateful. He’d savedher a job. Instead, all she cared about was how filthy he’d thought her and how presumptuous he’d been to tidy up without asking. She shuddered to think what he found amongst Ammy’s abandoned toys. How he’d probably want to bleach his hands when he left.
Thea stooped lower, leaning against the wall, heat inching up her chest. What if he told Persephone all about Thea’s filthy house on their date? She hadn’t heard from the PTA about the silent auction. If she’d won, she would have received a call by now.
Thea straightened up and ran the back of her hand over her forehead, listening for the kids, but the house was quiet. Too quiet. She tipped her head to the side, monitoring for the usual squeals of delight from Ammy. Nothing. Felix’s car was still outside, so they were definitely here. It was drizzling, too, so they wouldn’t be outside. Where on earth was everyone?
Thea crept along the hallway, past the photos of her and Josh that hung on the wall, towards the kitchen. Halfway down, a high-pitched giggle met her ears. Then another, and another. She drew level with the kitchen door, and a lower voice laughed, too. The hair on the back of Thea’s neck lifted. She’d recognise the pitch of Felix’s voice anywhere now. The toe-curling, deep tone of its lilt.
Edging closer, she held her breath and peeked around the corner. The scene that greeted her was the last thing she expected to see. Felix stood at the stove with his back to her, and both Ammy and Lucas stood on kitchen chairs on either side of him. They were intently watching whatever it was he was doing. The smell of cooking eggs and cheese mingled in the room, and Thea breathed it in, only then remembering she’d forgotten to eat lunch.
Thea leaned against the door, suddenly exhausted. It creaked under her weight.
Ammy spun around at the sound, a big grin forming onher face. “Mum!” she squealed, jumping off the chair and running to hug Thea’s thighs. “You’re home. We’re making omelettes.” She took Thea’s hand and led her towards the kitchen table.
She’d only taken a few steps before Felix turned around to face her, pan in one hand, spatula in the other. Thea’s lips trembled, her irritation at his cleaning efforts slipping away. He’d rolled his business shirt to his elbows, revealing nicely toned forearms. Someone, presumably Ammy, had pinned his usually smart hair back with two sparkly hair clips. He wore blue eyeshadow, and pink circles decorated his cheeks like an old porcelain doll.
“Excuse me, but I was looking for Felix Walsh, international business tycoon. You must be the new maid. Have you seen him? I think I pranged his car.”
“Hilarious,” he said, a half-smile on his face. “Mr. Walsh is a little busy right now, but if you give him a few minutes, I’m sure he can squeeze you in.”
Thea threw up her hands in submission. “I can wait.” She sat at one end of the table as the children dragged their chairs over to join her.
“Your dad makes an excellent Barbie,” Ammy said to Lucas once they’d settled. “And he can cook too, Mum.” Ammy curled a long strand of hair between her fingers. “We went down to the chicken shed and picked some eggs.”
Thea’s eyebrows raised. “Exemplary glow-up skillsandgood in the kitchen. I’m surprised none of the local ladies has snatched you up.” Thea placed her elbows on the bright floral tablecloth, stealthily enjoying the gentle sway of Felix’s bottom as he worked his spatula around the pan.
“Yes!” said Lucas with the biggest grin. “And your duck hung around Dad the whole time.”
Thea narrowed her eyes. “You went down to the pond? That was brave.” After the goose attack, Felix would likely considervisiting her pond comparable to a night out with Persephone Murray.
“I’m not a complete novice with animals,” Felix said over his shoulder. “I’ve had pets.”
“Really?”
“Yes. We had horses.”
Her ears pricked up. Finally, some common ground.Shehad horses. Simon and Madonna. “Cool. Where did you ride them? Around the grounds at Walsh Towers? Over the flowerbeds of the local peasants?”
Felix turned to look at her, the lurid blue of his eyeshadow clashing with his green eyes. She swallowed, wondering again why she couldn’t keep her snippy comments to herself.
“I didn’t ride them, exactly.”
“Do you mean the racehorses, Dad?” Lucas grinned at Thea, holding a large silver fork ready for his omelette. “My Gramps has three. All winners.”
Thea snickered, looking at Felix. “Pets?”
He shrugged, his attention back on the pan on the stove. “Okay, not technically, but I used to think of them that way.”
A slow breath passed through Thea’s lips. If they had racehorses, Felix’s family must be absolutely loaded. “So, the duck was playing nicely today?” she asked Lucas.
