When Monday morning dawned, I was feeling a whole heap better and a lot more like myself. Which was just as well, considering Hayden was at work and Alfie was behaving like a total nightmare. I put it down to the fact that neither of his parents were around and he was stuck with a dumb, drunk woman who had tried to make a move on her brother’s best friend and was now full of remorse.

Hayden had been really kind the previous afternoon, by not mentioning it too much and making sure I didn’t do anything too stupid. I was embarrassed about trying to get him into bed, but honestly, I couldn’t remember saying or doing it. I had been totally out of it.

Damn Laura and her welcome-home parties.

I’d hidden out in my room when Tom had come round the previous evening. It would have been too embarrassing to see him, and God only knows what I’d said to him on Saturday night about my feelings for Hayden. Consequently, I hadn’t eaten much the previous day and now I was starving. I decided that getting out of the apartment would be a good idea.

There was a coffee shop nearby that did breakfast and a bacon-and-egg sandwich would do the trick.

What I hadn’t banked on was the fact that it took a whole lot longer to get organised and get out of the house when you had a one-year-old to deal with.

First of all, Alfie refused to wear the clothes I picked out for him. Well, when I say refused, I meant that he wriggled and wriggled with all his might and it took me an age to wrestle his tiny little body into the trousers and T-shirt.

Then, just as we were ready to go, he decided to bring his breakfast up all over himself, and me, so we both needed a change of clothes.

If it weren’t for the thought of grease and coffee, I would have given up and stayed in.

Eventually, well over an hour later, I stepped into the welcoming atmosphere of the Cottage Cafe. The first thing I spotted was a couple of women at the back, in one corner, both of whom had buggies similar to the one I was pushing Alfie in. They looked up when they heard the door open and smiled broadly at me. I went up to the counter and ordered some breakfast, and waited while the lad behind the counter made me a strong coffee.

“Hi, you’re new here, aren’t you? I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Why don’t you come and join us? I know how hard it can be when you’re new somewhere.” One of the women appeared beside me and peered into Alfie’s buggy. “Oh, that’s Alfie!” She eyed me with suspicion. “Who are you?”

“I’m Bea. I’m helping Hayden out while Maddy’s in Paris.”

Seemingly satisfied with my explanation, the woman reached for the handle of the buggy. “I’ll take Alfie over to the table while you get your order. I’m Catrina and that’s Iona.”

“Thanks, that’s really kind of you.” I smiled.

A few minutes later I sat at the table, cramming white bread, bacon and runny egg into my mouth. I was making as much of a mess as Alfie would. So much for making a good impression on my new friends.

We chatted about Alfie and their babies. Catrina’s daughter, Freya, and Iona’s son, Oliver, were around the same age, and it turned out they had been at antenatal classes with Maddy.

As Maddy became the subject of conversation, Catrina and Iona kept exchanging nervous glances and I suspected their view of her may not exactly be a favourable one.

“We can’t believe she chose to leave Alfie so soon.”

“And to be in a totally different country, as well.”

“We both felt sorry for Hayden.”

“It’s so nice he’s got your support.”

“Catrina offered to help Maddy but she wouldn’t hear of it.”

Suddenly, they both spoke at once and I only just about managed to follow what they were saying. I sipped my coffee, hoping that the caffeine would help me to keep up. Instead, I nodded and mumbled a few, what I hoped were, positive noises.

“How’s Hayden coping with the change? I remember Maddy saying that he wanted to help out more when Alfie was first born, but she pushed him away.”

I didn’t know that. In fact, there was a lot about Maddy and Hayden I didn’t know. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to know either.

“We’re adjusting.” I sounded as if I knew what I was talking about. It had been three days. Hardly enough time to know whether a life-changing event, such as having your son full-time, was going well or not.

“Had you and Hayden discussed having children?” Catrina sipped her tea as she waiting for me to answer.

I almost spat my drink out in response. “I, we’re not, I mean, I’m…” I took a breath and composed myself. “What I mean is, we’re not together as a couple.”

Even though you want to be.

“Oh, right. I assumed…”

The smile I gave didn’t reach my eyes, I’m sure. “That’s fine. A few people have made that assumption.”

“Hayden’s not seeing anyone then?” Iona nudged Catrina, thinking I hadn’t seen her do it.

“Nope. At least not as far as I know. There certainly hasn’t been anyone around in the past few days.” Alfie, who had been superbly behaved up until that point, let out the loudest burp I’d ever heard followed by a piercing wail. I leaned down over the buggy and stroked his face. “What’s the matter, little man? Is it time to head home?” His cries grew louder and I glanced around the cafe at the other customers who were trying to ignore him.

“Would you be able to mention that we asked after him?” Catrina reached into her bag and grabbed a pen, writing something on a napkin and sliding it across the table to me. “And if he needs anything, he can call anytime.”

“Sure.” I gave that fake smile again, hoping my jealousy wasn’t showing. There was no way on earth I was giving Hayden that number. While I knew he wasn’t mine, I wasn’t prepared to let anyone else get involved with him right now. “And it’s been lovely to meet both of you. Perhaps we can do this again some time?”

They both nodded and answered the affirmative. I gathered my things together and headed out into the street. It was only early afternoon and there were still several hours until Hayden was due home. On a whim, I decided that I should cook for him, partly to apologise for my behaviour over the weekend, and partly to introduce him to the fact I made an amazing spaghetti bolognese.

When Hayden arrived home shortly after seven, I was whipping up a storm in the kitchen. The bolognese sauce was bubbling away nicely, and it wouldn’t be long before the pasta was ready. Alfie was jumping up and down in his baby bouncer. He’d had a nap that afternoon, eaten all of his dinner and was delighted when his father walked through the front door. A bit like me, really.

He did a bit of a double take as he came in. “Something smells amazing. I thought I was cooking tonight.” He went straight over to where Alfie was playing and lifted him out of the bouncer, holding him up at arm’s length and bouncing him around himself. Alfie squealed in delight. At the sight of the two of them, my insides contracted with joy.

“I had a bit of time this afternoon while Alfie was sleeping.” I smiled, wiping my hands on my apron, the perfect example of domestic bliss. “How was your day?”

Hayden’s face fell. “Ugh, not great. One of my deals fell through and I had to start all the research again. I was going to do some more this evening.”

My heart sank at the thought of not spending the whole evening with Hayden. “Oh.” My voice came out small, and a little like a sulky child.

He looked between me and the pot on the hob. “Although after eating that, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do anything but sleep, so maybe I’ll go in early tomorrow instead. Let me get changed and I’ll come and join you. Did you want me to put Alfie to bed first?”

“That would be great, thank you.”

While Hayden settled Alfie, I finished cooking. I set the table, debating whether to light the candle in the centre. It might look a bit obvious, although if I wanted to make sure the likes of Catrina didn’t get her claws into Hayden, I guessed I had to do something. And soon.