I snap out of my thoughts and glance briefly around the hotel restaurant, where the array of food on offer is immense and we are spoilt for choice, with a selection of hot croissants, figs with yoghurt, smoked salmon and scrambled egg, muesli, the choice was endless. Finn is in his element, but I am experiencing a wave of nausea … again. It seems to happen every time I am about to eat; come to think about it, mornings weren’t too good or tea times. I wonder if I need to pay a visit the doctor, the last time I felt like this I had anaemia, maybe I need to start re-taking iron supplements?
“A breakfast of champions!”
A voice behind me brings me back to the present and I catch Finn’s nose wrinkle, a tell so similar to mine I’m alerted to the fact that the voice belongs to someone Finn is not all that impressed with; the boy has great gut instincts. I’m continuing to try but this person is just a Dufus.
“Morning, Chris - sleep well?”
“Could have slept better, Lulu, much better for reasons you and I both know but there’s always tonight.”
With a cheesy wink he heads over to the breakfast buffet and I shudder. Dufus! Kids, and little ears - not that Finn would understand his meaning - but is the man totally unaware of his douchebagness, if that’s even a word?
I raise my brows saucily at Finn who is frowning in Chris’ direction, whilst shovelling pancakes into his mouth and whisper across the table, “Ignore him, poppet - he’s ok really.”
“Nah ahh. He wants to go on a date with you, Mummy and I’m not happy with that at all - I like Sub.”
What the hell?
God this kid is switched on - although I don’t think Chris wants to date me at all; maybe have a one-nighter to get one-up on Sebastian, but in a three year old’s world that means ‘date’.
“Don’t be silly, Finn and of course you like Sub he’s your God-father and he adores you.” I watch as Finn’s tightly folded arms relax slightly and his pout lessens enough for me to pop a blueberry inside, which makes him beam. “There he is - my handsome boy. You looking forward to going fishing, baby?”
“Yeah! It’s going to be awesome. Sub says he has a pole for me and everything and Nathan’s coming with us too.”
“Did I hear my name being mentioned? Morning, Lu, dude - ready to be the Fisher King?”
Nathan’s mouth is full so I answer for him “He’s been ready since 6am this morning, Uncle Na.”
“Ok then. So, Mummy could do with a Nana nap could she?”
“Hey! I’m not that old but I must admit I’m tired this morning - I didn’t sleep well last night at all.”
“You should have called my room and I’d have been happy to supply you with something to help you sleep.” Chris returns to our large round table and pulls a chair out, taking a seat with a devil-may care attitude about him.
I share a look of horror with Nathan who is about to rescue me when the man that was the real reason I was awake half the night makes his entrance; cool and sexy in battered jeans, black t-shirt and white converse trainers - suddenly I’m ravenous.
“Lucia knows which room to call Chris, in the event she needs tiring out.” I can see the twinkle in his eyes however, he obviously thinks he’s walked in on Chris teasing me - I wish it was just teasing and didn’t carry that permanent stench of cheese.
“So, Fisherman Finn are you ready to catch what we are having for tea?”
“I can’t wait.”
“He can’t - it’s true - I’ve just been telling Na, he’s been awake for a while, he’s so excited.”
“You should have knocked on my door. I’ve not slept well and been awake since 4am.”
“Seems to be a common story…” Nathan mutters.
“I had breakfast earlier so if you want to grab some warm clothes, your wellies and meet me in the foyer in ten minutes, Finn, Nathan and I will show you how its done - you’ll be a man in no time.”
Finn squishes Seb’s leg as he excuses himself and I stand to follow. The one thing I want to do is walk into Sebastian’s arms openly and raise my lips to his. To say good morning and feel his morning glory against my tummy, but I hold back. “I’ll go get him organised and see you guys in a bit.”
I don’t turn to see if I’m being watched but I know I am, I can feel his eyes lingering on my behind and I add an extra wiggle. We’ve just reached our bedroom door when I sense we’re not alone. I can smell him; feel him. I need him. I run the card key swiftly through the mechanism and click the handle open. “Finnster, you head inside and grab your things and I’ll be in in a minute.”