‘Avian won’t leave. I’ll talk to her,’ he said.
Christa stopped looking through cupboards and looked at him.
‘I don’t want you to talk to her. I want to be as far away from her as I can. She’s as bad as him.’
Marc was silent. He had let Avian get away with so much during and after their marriage because it was easier than asking her to be a better parent when he knew he was also found wanting.
Christa had small crepe pan and her knives in her hands.
‘That’s me then,’ she said. ‘Don’t worry about the balance of the money. I don’t want it.’
She walked out of the kitchen to the foyer where Marc followed and saw everyone standing looking upset except for Simon. Even Avian looked concerned but probably because she knew that Marc would be furious, he thought.
‘Boys, I have something under the tree for you but you can’t open it until Christmas morning, okay?’ Christa said.
Seth’s lip trembled as Ethan openly started to cry.
‘But we haven’t finished the gingerbread house,’ Seth said.
‘Your dad can help; he’s a dab hand at it now,’ Christa said and she hugged the boys and then stood up.
‘Paul or Adam, do you mind helping me with my bags?’
Marc rushed forward but she waved him away.
‘Thanks but Adam has it,’ she said and she turned to Avian and Simon.
‘Merry Christmas. Well done on the win, Simon. I guess you were the better cook all along. Thank you for teaching me this lesson. I needed to remember some humility.’
And then she was gone, out the front door and into the cold.
‘At least she finally saw the truth,’ said Simon to the room and Marc simply couldn’t help himself; he turned and punched him as hard as he could, sending Simon flying into the Christmas tree. The decorations scattered and smashed across the marble floor.
‘Now you’ve ruined Christmas,’ Seth yelled at his parents.
‘Don’t look at me,’ said Avian with her arms crossed. ‘I had nothing to do with any of this.’
‘You’re both douches,’ screamed Ethan.
‘Bite your bums,’ added Seth, his face red with fury and the boys ran outside as Marc heard Christa’s car speed down the driveway away from Pudding Hall.
Christa’s Chocolate Soufflé Recipe
Ingredients
½ cup/114g/4oz unsalted butter softened, plus more for coating dish
4 tablespoons/50g/1¾ oz granulated sugar, plus more for coating dish
225g/8oz bittersweet chocolate (60 to 65 per cent cacao), finely chopped
6 eggs, separated, at room temperature
Pinch fine sea salt
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Method
