Page 44 of All Yours

Fox followed his son’s pointed finger and saw Robyn in the crowd.

She cradled Willow to her chest beneath her oversized blue coat, with a woolly scarf wrapped several times around her neck. The baby wore ear defenders and looked to be sleeping. Robyn stood, alone, tilting her heart-shaped face to the sky. She was wide-eyed and smiling in wonder, and as Fox watched the fireworks light her face, he caught himself thinking how beautiful she was.

The fireworks were over and the bonfire was being lit. Fox made his way through the crowd, leaving the boys with Amber for a few minutes. He slid into the spot beside Robyn and nudged her arm.

‘Hi,’ he said.

She smiled so wide her dimples appeared.

‘Hi. That was quite something, wasn’t it?’

He nodded and she continued.

‘I can’t remember the last Bonfire Night I went to,’ she said. ‘I’ve only seen fireworks at occasional New Year’s Eve parties for the last few years.’

‘You’re missing out,’ he said. ‘It’s one of the most exciting nights of the year for the boys. Beaten only by birthdays and Christmas.’

‘You can see how excited Willow was.’ Robyn tilted the sling towards him and he saw the baby was, in fact, sound asleep. ‘But I enjoyed myself. Although I love this bit just as much.’ She nodded towards the fire, which was starting to gain life, flames flicking out of the base and upwards towards the peak of the pile.

She lifted her face towards the pyre and closed her eyes. Her skin glowed, her hair glinted in the firelight. She inhaled the smoke scent in the air as if it was perfume before rousing herself and smiling at him.

‘Anyway, I’m going to head off and catch up on some sleep.’

‘Do you want me to walk you?’

‘No, I’m fine on my own,’ she said. ‘Stay. The boys are having fun. See you Monday.’

She pulled her coat around Willow and he watched her weave her way through the crowd. Half of him wanted to run after her, but he found himself rooted to the spot.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Robyn

Girl Gang WhatsApp group

Isabella: Can you be at Tutto Mio at 11 for wedding cake tasting?

Amber: My favourite bridesmaid assignment yet!

Wren: I might be able to fit a bite or two in on top of these babies.

Rosie: I’ll finish your slices, Wren.

Isabella: You free, Robyn?

Robyn: If you’re sure? I don’t want to crash . . .

Isabella: You’re not! You do like cake, don’t you?

Robyn: Love it.

Isabella: So, see you there!

‘Parcel for you, Robyn,’ Fox said, holding up one of several boxes and a handful of post, before dumping everything on the kitchen table.

‘Thanks,’ she replied, hoping for one of his trademark smiles, but he seemed distracted, absorbed by something on his phone screen.

Before he’d come into the room, Robyn had been caught between two thoughts. The first was silently congratulating herself on maintaining a professional relationship with Fox for more than a week. The second was wishing she didn’t have to.