My Son(17)

The next day Kelly and Max spent the morning exploring the grounds. Marc, who had left early, had ensured that she was equipped with the most wonderful buggy she could hope for, specifically designed to be durable in all terrain enabling Kelly to walk around the vast estate with ease. Meeting Mario on the way he had taken time to show them some of the wonderful flowers growing on the estate which Kelly had found fascinating. Max had enjoyed the walk and by the time she had returned to the villa at lunch time he had hungrily demolished his food, before playing contentedly with her for half an hour before crawling into her arms for a sleep.

Kelly and Max had a routine, and laying him back in his buggy and ensuring that he was protected from the sun she had set up her canvas at a good spot away from the villa. For the next hour, she had worked on it, sketching the building before her until she had managed to capture its essence.

As she finished her sketch Mrs Green had appeared carrying a tray with a jug of what looked like lemonade and several cups along with some sandwiches. Kelly had moved over to take the tray from the woman before placing it on a table nearby

“Hi Miss Brown” she had said with a warm smile, seeing as Kelly had grimaced playfully

“Please call me Kelly” she replied with a grin, seeing the approving smile from the other woman

“OK Kelly but only if you call me Beth, I thought you might like a drink”

Kelly had smiled her thanks

“That looks wonderful Beth… joining me” she had beckoned for the other woman to sit with her. A little surprised Beth had smiled back nodding and the two women had then sat on the seats beside the table

“I understand that little Max is one tomorrow” Beth had said glancing affectionately over at the small boy who still slept soundly

“I wanted to make him a cake…what kind of things does he like”

“Wonderful” Kelly had exclaimed her eyes shining before her face had become more thoughtful “He loves animals …. and cars” she had said with a soft smile, seeing as the older woman had nodded her head

“Doable” she laughed

“Imagine his birthday being so close to his daddy”

Kelly had looked over in surprise

“I..I didn’t know” she said “he never said”

Beth groaned

“That’s Marc for you, Max on the Friday and his daddy the following month. There’s going to be a big party. He hasn’t told you about it?”

She had shaken her head “maybe I’m not invited” she half joked seeing how Beth had grinned over at her

“pfft........like you are going to get out of it that easy” her eyes twinkling mischievously

At that point Max began to move, his dark eyes opening while his small hands had flailed as he had babbling excitedly seeing Kelly, who had lifted him into her arms allowing him to stand unsteadily on her knees. Beth had laughed watching the antics of the small boy as he covered Kelly’s face with drooling kisses

“He does love his mummy” she had chuckled

And Kelly had felt a pang at those words her mind wondering for how long she would be allowed to play the part of mummy.

“Would it be Ok if we used the pool” she had asked as Beth had looked at her in surprise

“Of course you can….use anything you want honey, this is your home now” she had replied gently

“Well best get back” she said before standing to retrieve the tray. However, placing Max back in his buggy Kelly had insisted on carrying the tray while the older woman enjoyed pushing the buggy back to the house. As they walked the two women had spoke pleasantly, enjoying the warm sunshine on their backs. Kelly had discovered that Beth Green, as Kelly had already guessed did not originate from Spain, but from America. She had originally worked for Marc’s mother before moving with her when she had married Marc’s father. Talking about his mother her eyes had glazed over with fond memories.

“A wonderful woman” she had said “Marc’s father and her, they were so in love” she sighed sadly “His father never did get over it when she died. It was so tragic”

“What happened” Kelly had asked softly

“She got ill; Marc was so close to his mother.. It hit him really hard” Beth then laughed uncomfortably realising how much she was telling the younger woman she hardly knew, and had quickly changed the subject.

When Marc had arrived home he had instantly gone looking for Max, meeting Beth on the way who had pointed him to the pool area.

“You’re early” she said in surprise.

He had thrown her a mischievous smile

“Hey I’m the boss” he had chuckled before making his way outside.