Page 17 of Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall
Back in San Francisco they had nannies but the boys claimed they were too old for nannies now and made their feelings known by terrorising them until no nanny agency would take the job, no matter the price.
Adam stood up and stretched his back.
‘Dinner is at seven thirty for us. She is feeding the boys at six,’ said Adam. ‘If you wanted to say hello to her and pretend the other version of you was a twin, then I would suggest a change of top and parting your hair on the other side to make it believable.’
Marc rolled his eyes at Adam. ‘Thanks for the tip but this isn’t an adult version ofThe Parent Trap.’
Adam shrugged. ‘I help where I can.’
Marc sighed and thought about how he came across to Christa. ‘I don’t think I made a great first impression.’
Adam peered at him. ‘Why does it matter what she thinks of you? You don’t care what anyone else does.’
Marc couldn’t answer for a moment. ‘That doesn’t say much about me if I’m a rude prick to everyone though. I mean, I just don’t really want to spend time with many people.’
Adam scoffed. ‘You just don’t get impressed by anyone anymore because most people want something from you.’
Marc couldn’t argue with that. It was true and he wondered if that was why Christa challenged him so much. She was doing her job her way, which he could respect and understand. Perhaps they were more alike than she realised.
‘I’ll talk to her,’ he said to Adam. ‘And show her I am not a complete arsehole.’
‘I still think the twin ruse is the way to go but you do you,’ quipped Adam as he left Marc to his work.
*
Just after six in the evening Marc walked downstairs where a delicious smell guided him to the kitchen. He could hear the boys laughing and talking loudly as he stood by the door, unseen by them.
‘Can we have ketchup?’ asked one of them.
‘Of course – what is a burger without ketchup?’ he heard Christa reply.
He took a deep breath and stepped into the kitchen.
‘Burgers? Who is having burgers? Why wasn’t I invited?’
Christa and the boys turned to him, surprise plastered on their faces.
‘You’re welcome to have one but the boys made you pasta for dinner.’ She seemed slightly on guard, which made sense since he had acted like a total idiot every time they had met before.
He looked at the plates of food on the bench. The burgers and fries looked incredible and his mouth watered at the sight of them.
Peggy came into the kitchen.
‘I have set the dining room for the adults,’ she said, which sounded like an order.
‘Oh, it’s okay, we’ll eat in here, I know Adam said seven thirty but it might be nice to eat together.’ Marc looked at Christa. ‘Or are you making something that requires extra time? Otherwise we can wait – I don’t want to be difficult.’
He thought he saw a little smile cross her lips. ‘Of course that’s fine. I have prepared homemade fettucine with a simple but delicious carbonara sauce.’
‘Sounds perfect,’ he said.
Peggy was wringing her hands. ‘I set the table in the dining room. With the good china.’
‘I know you did, Peggy, but I want to eat in here with my boys,’ he said and paused, waiting for her to understand his tone as he texted Adam and Paul to come down earlier.
Peggy, to her credit, nodded.
Adam and Paul came into the kitchen soon after.
