28

The noise is unbelievable, and so wonderful.

The kids and their kids are all crowded in the living room as I bring out a tray of drinks and store-bought Christmas cookies and prepare to listen to their excited babble about their successful surprise, before I broach a difficult subject.

Chris is still upstairs. I know he would have heard their arrival; he has exceptional hearing, but he’s probably playing with the kittens and giving me time to settle my family in. He’ll have to surface at some point though, so I do need to give Roger and Katie the heads up.

Unfortunately, I don’t have as long as I’d like before the conversation turns.

“Where’s Dad?” Katie asks around a mouthful of biscuit as she frowns and delicately spits it back out into a handkerchief, adding, “these aren’t your cookies.”

“Store bought,” I smile at her. “I haven’t had the time to bake this Christmas. I’ve only just returned from the holiday you kids booked. Thank you so much for that. It was wonderful. Unforgettable actually.”

“Glad you enjoyed it, Mom,” Roger beams as his two-year-old clambers onto his knee and looks at me with big, unsure eyes. “But I’ll bet Dad left you to ski the whole week while he just nursed a drink at the bar.”

“Ah,” I frown as I think how to broach the subject, “your father didn’t go, actually. I went with a friend.”

Katie looks up sharply.

“But Mom, it was supposed to be a romantic getaway.”

“Oh,” I grimace as I add in a small voice, “it was.”

“What? I don’t understand.”

“Katie, Roger,” I take a deep breath, “your father and I are getting a divorce.”

The shock and instant sorrow on their faces is something I’m sure every mother hopes they never have to see in their children’s expressions. It breaks my heart.

Just then, Chris walks in.

“Hi,” he says quietly as we all look up.

“Oh, Mom,” Katie groans.