Sirah

I carefully observed Evelyn’s interactions with Katya. There was genuine affection between the two women. They included me in the conversation, and they turned on me once the baby talk was done.

“Seth said Saul had met someone, but I didn't believe him,” Kat said with a giggle. “How did you two meet?”

“He is—was my neighbour. Well, he is my landlord—but I didn't know. It was all a little creepy, to be honest,” I said, struggling to explain it.

“Did he stalk you?” Kat asked as his mum gasped. “That’s what Seth did when I left him.”

“What do you mean?” Evelyn asked as she huddled closer.

“They both have stalking issues?” I asked with a frown.

Was that normal in this family? They all seemed normal, and Seth seemed stable .

I turned to look at the men just as Kat and Evelyn stared at them. Saul stared at us before he went to the table and poured the drink into champagne flutes.

“Sterling was the same before we married,” Evelyn sighed dreamily.

“How did I not know this?” Katya asked.

Evelyn was about to speak when Saul brought us our drinks. I noticed he gave Katya some apple juice, which was thoughtful of him. Evelyn must be around her mid-sixties, with Sterling being a few years older. Seth and Saul looked like their dad, especially since all three had beards. Evelyn had stylish shoulder-length white hair with a curl to it. Her eyes were dark brown like the twins. She was nothing like Irene in terms of looks or nature.

“My father worked for Sterling when the company was still in the early stages. When he saw me in the office one day, he took a fancy to me. It wasn’t long before I began to receive letters and flowers. Then he began to sit outside my house in his car,” she grinned. “His father wasn’t too happy with the union because they were from old money.”

“Did he ever make a Christmas ornament using your hair?” I asked dryly.

“Shut the front door,” Katya gasped out with wide eyes.

Evelyn’s jaw dropped down, leaving her mouth open. They glanced at Saul again before Evelyn grabbed my hand and nodded to Katya as we sat on the couch. Evelyn sat in the middle while we sat beside her.

“This is what happens when you’re a fuckboy. He has no sense when it comes to courting a lady,” Evelyn muttered.

It was my turn to be gobsmacked, but Katya began to chuckle.

Who referred to their son as fuckboy?

“I gave him that nickname. How did you know?” she asked Evelyn, who was still frowning.

“Sterling heard Seth call him that on a few occasions,” she said before she turned towards me. “That boy needs professional help. What else did he do?”

“Uh, perhaps it’s best if you ask Saul or Seth. I don’t want to get involved in family matters,” I said anxiously at his mother's reaction.

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed on Seth. “Yes, he probably knows, and I will get it out of him.”

She relaxed and sipped her drink while I leaned over to speak to Kat. I needed to find out what I was up against. She was glowing with happiness, and she would place her hand on her belly every so often. She was beautiful, and her wavy, long blonde only made her bright blue eyes stand out. We were complete opposites in looks, but Kat had an open, friendly nature and was easy to talk to.

∞∞∞

By the time we had dessert, I had well and truly warmed up to the Winthorpe family. I was glad I didn't have my lonesome Christmas. I was shocked when all the men cleared the table after our Christmas lunch, and Evelyn winked at me.

“You have to train them early on,” she said.

“I was a little slow, but Seth’s cooking has improved over the last few months,” Kat said before she frowned. “He has been going overboard with the baby books and nutrition, though.”

“When do you finish off for maternity leave?” Evelyn asked.

“It depends on how I feel, but I was considering early May,” she said, rubbing her gingerbread man.

“Will you take the full year?” I asked.

“Yes, I want to spend as much time with the baby as possible. I’m not sure if I will go back or perhaps return on a part-time basis,” she said.

“You have plenty of time to decide, dear,” Evelyn said. “Oh, did you tell Sadie?”

“No, we are going to my parents' house next,” Katya said with a smile. “We want to get good use out of these matching jumpers.”

“I think it’s the perfect timing to have a summer baby,” I said, thinking about the summer sun.

“I can't wait,” Katya said with excitement. “I’ve waited so long to become a mum.”

“At least you got Seth to sit up and take notice. You know, , Saul is rather competitive. I wouldn't be surprised if you're next,” Evelyn said with a devious smile before she let out a delighted chuckle. “I might have two grandchildren by next Christmas.”

If only she knew what her son had been up to the last few months .

I glanced at Katya, who covered her smile with her hand.

“It might be fun for you,” she said with a shrug.

“Hmm, I still don't approve of how he has tried to woo you,” Evelyn said as her amusement faded. “I don't want another divorce situation in a few years if he can't get a grip of himself.”

I thought of Saul gripping himself with both hands earlier, but I don't think that’s what Evelyn meant.

“If I give you my number, could you send a picture of the special Christmas decoration he made for you?” Katya asked eagerly.

“He wasn't much for making Christmas decorations when he was younger,” Evelyn said as she tapped her fingers on the table.

“Ah, I think he has a different motivation as an adult,” Katya said.

They both stared at me with curiosity in their eyes. Evelyn leaned over the table and was about to say something when the men returned. I jumped up to excuse myself before they began to grill me about Saul. They needed to speak to him or his brother. I ’ d had enough of my own in-law drama to last me a lifetime.

When I reached the main hallway, I relaxed and took in their stunning Christmas decorations. They didn't appear to have much outside, but there were decorations from the high ceilings to the greenery wrapped around the wooden bannister. The decorations were traditional gold, red, and green, with lights that had a warm glow to them, as opposed to Saul’s morbid black and silver theme.

I took my time and went to find a bathroom. His parents lived in central London and had a grand house similar to Saul’s. Theirs was an older Victorian property, but the decor was all a light cream colour with a few dashes of pastel thrown in. Evelyn had a great minimalist style. I wish I had more time to explore the house, but it would be rude to wander off.

By the time I returned, they had left the dining room, and I heard voices from the drawing room. The door was ajar, and I hesitated to push it open when I heard Saul say my name. I leaned in to listen to their conversation.