Page 46 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
Lily’s voice was an anxious whisper and Max spun round. He held out his arms and Lily let Ella go to dart into them. He pulled her tightly against him, lifting her up, and Ella had a crazy wish to join them.
‘It’s all right, Lily. It was an accident and not your fault. There’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ve seen Mamie and she told me what happened.’ Max’s eyes found Ella’s above Lily’s head and she could guess at his own worry still unabated, the questions, the recriminations over how this had happened, the guilt that he hadn’t been there to look after the children himself. ‘The flat is definitely off-limits for playing though. It’s not safe.’
‘I should probably go back now,’ Ella said, eyeing the single chair at Arlo’s side. There were four adults here, including Noelle waiting in A&E, and she didn’t want to be in the way. ‘I could take Lily home if you like. Maybe she’d like a hot drink and something to eat before bed.’ She wasn’t sure Lily would want to leave Max or Arlo yet, but it was worth a try. It was late for the children and they’d both be shattered tomorrow, after such drama.
Ella wasn’t expecting the grateful look Max gave her or the way Lily immediately held out her arms. He transferred her across and his hands brushed Ella’s bare skin.
‘You’re cold,’ he muttered, his eyes sharp on hers. ‘Where’s your coat?’
‘Arlo was sick on Ella’s coat, Daddy, and she gave him her jumper too.’ Lily yawned, snuggling her head into Ella’s shoulder. ‘Please will you stay and read me a story when we get home?’
‘Of course I will. I’ll stay until your daddy and Arlo get back.’
‘Take this.’ Max shrugged out of his coat and draped it around Ella, tucking it over Lily too as best he could. ‘You can’t go outside in just a T-shirt, it’s freezing.’
Ella was trembling again and his warmth still lingering in the fabric made her feel as though he’d hugged her too, had wrapped his arms round his daughter safe in Ella’s hold.
‘I’ll see you at home, we’ll be back as soon as we can.’ He dropped a kiss on Lily’s head, bringing his face close to Ella’s. She felt his hair brushing her forehead, the second when his cheek bumped hers. She gave Arlo a cheery grin and made him promise to show her his cast later, and said goodbye to Ashley.
Lily fell asleep on the way home and Ella carried her into the cottage. Prim was barking and she realised they’d forgotten the poor dog in all the drama with Arlo. She quickly let Prim into the garden and settled Lily on the sofa with a cosy blanket and a book, then fed Prim and rustled up the promised hot chocolate. It didn’t take long to make cheese and tomato on toast as well, and Lily demolished two slices to Ella’s one. Lily was less keen on the idea of going to bed without seeing Arlo, but after a story Ella tucked her in and she was asleep in moments. She switched on the nightlight Lily wanted and returned downstairs to wait.
The family room felt subdued with only Ella and Prim in it, and she was grateful for the dog’s company as Prim rested her head on Ella for a cuddle. She switched on the television, staring at the screen without really seeing it. Anything to take her mind off the frantic dash to hospital and her memories of Lauren leaving home that hideous night.
Prim heard the front door open before Ella did and offered a solitary bark, her tail thumping as she recognised the footsteps approaching down the hall. Ella hurried over and almost bumped into Max carrying Arlo as they reached the door at the same time.
‘How is he?’ Arlo was asleep, his arm encased in his bright red cast. Max’s smile was as relieved as the resignation in his eyes.
‘He’s fine, they’ve given him some more pain relief so I’m going to get him changed and into bed.’
‘Can I help?’
Max, at the bottom of the stairs, turned. ‘I don’t think so but thanks.’ He hesitated. ‘I’d love a coffee when he’s settled. Decaf though.’
‘Wouldn’t you prefer some peace and quiet?’
‘Not unless you would?’
He waited long enough to see Ella shake her head. He was back in twenty minutes and pointed to the television still on. ‘Would you mind? I’d much rather listen to music than that.’
‘Of course not.’
‘Is classical okay? I find it relaxes me the most.’
‘That’s fine.’ She brought their coffee over. The room felt weighted with expectancy without the children’s usual chatter and squabbles to lighten this new atmosphere. ‘Is Arlo all right?’
Max was busy on his phone and the sound of the television was soon replaced by a piano concerto Ella didn’t recognise. ‘Crashed. I thought it might take a while to settle him, but I just about managed to get him out of the bathroom and into pyjamas with a pillow underneath his arm before he was gone.’
‘That’s good, he’ll need the rest.’
‘Mmm.’ Max leaned back and closed his eyes. ‘Not the only one.’
‘Have you eaten?’ Ella was curled on the sofa near his and wrapped Lily’s blanket around her; too tired to go back to the house and find another layer. ‘Sorry, I’d forgotten. You had dinner with Ashley.’
‘Actually, I didn’t. We’d only got as far as ordering when I got Maman’s message.’
‘I could make you some cheese on toast?’ Ella threw the blanket aside and was off the sofa in one movement. ‘Lily and I had some earlier, it won’t take—’
‘Ella?’ Max caught her hand and she halted, staring at his fingers around hers. ‘It’s fine. I’m not really hungry and it’s certainly not your job to feed me.’
