Page 23 of The Six-Week Single Dad
“Bea, there you are.” Catrina appeared at my side. Hayden had taken Alfie and he was chatting to a couple of dads near to the food table. She took my elbow and steered me into a quiet corner. “Have you heard from Maddy recently?”
I shook my head. Hayden dealt with the communication on that front. They FaceTimed every evening and included Alfie on the call. As far as I knew, it was still happening.
“So you don’t know then?”
“Know what?”
Catrina lowered her voice conspiratorially. “She’s staying in Paris. Apparently the secondment has been made into a permanent job, so she’s going to be moving there full-time.”
I felt as if I’d been punched in the stomach. How dare she announce that to other people before discussing it with Hayden first? That decision had massive implications for him, not to mention Alfie.
“How do you know?” From what I had gathered in our chats, Catrina and Maddy weren’t exactly close these days.
“Iona heard something from Diana.” Catrina gestured towards Noah’s mum. “Sounds like Robert was instrumental in making it happen.”
I bet he was.
Immediately, I wanted to contact Maddy and confront her. Ask her what the hell she thought she was doing taking her son away from his father. But I had no right to do that. Not until Hayden knew the truth himself. For all I knew, Diana had got it wrong and there was no point in making a mountain out of a molehill until Maddy had confirmed or denied it.
“I’m pretty sure that Hayden would have told me if he knew that.” I gave Catrina a wide smile, pretending everything was fine. “It’s probably nothing; maybe Diana got mixed up.”
“I don’t think so.” Catrina clocked the look on my face and hastily backtracked. “Or maybe she did.” She gave a fake laugh, trying to cover up. “You know what Diana’s like for gossip.”
“I do.” I nodded slowly.
Hayden approached us, Alfie cradled in his arms, snoring. “This little dude is out for the count, so I thought we could head home.” He looked between Catrina and I, a frown clouding his handsome features. “Everything okay?”
I shot Catrina a death stare that told her not to say anything. She appeared to get my message and mumbled something about needing to find her husband. Before she left, she gently ruffled Alfie’s hair and gave me a meaningful look, which didn’t go unnoticed by Hayden.
“What was that all about?” he asked, his gaze following Catrina as she disappeared into the group.
“Nothing, we were talking about Iona,” I improvised. “She’s been having some problems with teething and Catrina wanted to know what we were doing with Alfie.” I was impressed with myself for coming up with that on the spur of the moment.
Hayden laughed. “Topic of conversation changes so much when you’re a parent, doesn’t it?” He kissed the top of my head. “Come on, let’s go.”
As we left, Catrina messaged me:Diana says it’s true!!! You need to talk to Hayden ASAP x
Chapter Thirteen
Hayden
The course material swam in front of my eyes as I tried to concentrate on the tutor at the front of the room.
This powerful three-day course for experienced executive-level recruiters explores the four key habits that are shared by all top billers, which will help them to create their market and become more confident in operating at the highest level with their clients and candidates.
On day three, we will explore the relationship between client and candidate and how the recruiter can leverage that in order to secure the highest level of revenue.
Thankfully we were at day three. Even reading the introduction again, plus the outline of the final day, made me want to close my eyes and sleep. Maybe I shouldn’t have stayed up until four in the morning, drinking with the Scotland team, one of the downfalls of staying in the same hotel where the training was.
I vaguely remembered messaging Bea when I finally got to bed, then forgot to put my phone on charge, so I had no idea if she’d received it. My phone was currently in my room.
The clock said nine-twenty-three. In theory, the course was due to finish at midday, then we could check out and I could get straight on the train back to London. I missed Alfie and Bea. Missed the routine we’d established, the fun times we had together.
In a few days that would all be over.
Maddy would be back from Paris and I would be a weekend dad again.
Without a doubt, I knew that wasn’t what I wanted. Maddy had always pushed me away when I said I wanted to be more involved, telling me it would upset Alfie’s routine. In all the time he’d been with Bea and I, he seemed perfectly happy and not at all bothered by the changes. Although he was a year old. If he wasn’t happy about it, I’m not entirely sure how he would have told me.
