Page 23 of The In-Laws

‘We’re not a crèche, we don’t have afternoon coffee breaks,’ Nancy huffed.

Amanda was tempted to shove her mother-in-law’s snooty face into the cheesecake.

‘Mum,’ Frank’s voice was calm but firm, ‘Amanda has gone to the trouble of bringing in a delicious cake. It was really thoughtful of her. We can all do with a ten-minute break. It’s good for the brain to switch off and for your body to relax and recharge.’

‘Your body must be very relaxed, Frank,’ Ross said drily.

‘It is, thanks.’ Frank grinned, Ross’s insult washing over him.

How the hell was he so zen? Maybe she should start meditating. It might help with her heightened anxiety and stress-induced insomnia.

‘I could teach you a few relaxing techniques to help you uncoil,’ Frank suggested to his brother.

Ross snorted. ‘No, thanks, Frank. I actually like working hard.’

‘Stress is a killer, Ross. You need to look after your health.’

If stress is a killer, how come she wasn’t dead? She should be ten feet under with all she’d had to deal with lately.

‘I find stress motivating, Frank. You should try it sometime.’

‘No, Frank’s right. We all need a better work–life balance,’ Jamie said, defending his brother.

Although Jamie was four years younger than Frank, he seemed like the older brother. Amanda thought it was sweet the way he always jumped to Frank’s defence. He did so a lot more than Melanie did. She was still in her office, talking on the phone.

‘Rubbish. I’ve worked twelve-hour days all my life. Hard work never killed anyone.’ Nancy wasn’t having any of it.

‘I wouldn’t say you’re the poster girl for work–life balance, Mum.’ Frank smiled at his mother.

‘Success requires dedication, determination and hard graft, Frank.’

Did it require being a cantankerous old witch too?

Melanie finally came out of her office. ‘Oh, cake, right, uhm, thanks.’

Could she have been less enthusiastic?

‘My pleasure.’ Amanda kept smiling, although her cheeks were now beginning to ache. This had not been a good idea. No one wanted the stupid cheesecake. Frank found a knife and Amanda busied herself cutting it into slices.

‘It’s a bit tart,’ was all Nancy said, although she polished off her piece.

‘Lovely,’ Jamie said.

‘Really delicious,’ Frank enthused.

‘Very nice,’ Ross muttered.

‘Tasty.’ Melanie picked at the cake, her mind clearly elsewhere.

‘What’s going on with Peter?’ Nancy asked Melanie.

She put her plate down. ‘I talked him off a ledge and he’s agreed to most of the edits. I think it could be something special if we can just keep him from spiralling.’

‘I knew he’d be tricky the minute I met him. I warned you,’ Nancy reminded her.

Amanda noticed Melanie’s jaw set. So she wasn’t all cosy with Nancy either.

‘A lot of authors are tricky, Nancy, but the gifted ones are worth it. I can manage Peter.’

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