PAYBACK IS A BITCH

Chapter five: I want a baby

Kate

"WOW!" Josh gasped in an awed voice, a reaction that amused the adults but left me unsettled. His early awareness of women's looks, evident in his comments earlier today, was not a source of amusement for me.

"Josh!" I scolded him in a sharp voice.

"What mum! She is hot!" His blue eyes twinkled at me.

I rolled my eyes at him and turned to look in the woman's direction. She was talking to one of the movers.

She was beautiful and had the perfect figure—the hourglass figure, which was perfectly displayed by her five-foot-ten-inch height and six-inch stiletto heels.

Why a tall woman needs to wear heels beats me.

"She is not all that beautiful," I mumbled, more to myself than anyone else. I would never admit it, but women like her always made me feel insecure, a conflict I grappled with internally.

"And I thought you said lying is wrong." Josh heard my mumbling and decided to call me out, being the cheeky child he was, and the others heard his sassy retort.

Once again, the adults laughed, having a field day at my expense, which I did not appreciate. I paid my cheeky son back with a smack to the back of his head and glared at Gloria, who laughed so hard that she snorted. The heavy glare I sent her had no effect on her but almost sent her to the floor in laughter.

"Mummy, I am hungry," Sophie complained, tugging on my trousers to get my attention.

"We are going baby." I patted her blonde hair to soothe her before turning towards Gloria and Richard.

"Thanks, guys." I hugged them both and left with the kids for our house. Billy said his goodbyes and brought up the tail with our belongings.

"Guys, are you okay with Pizza?!" I asked loud as we entered the house. I was too tired to cook anything.

The kids were already racing up the stairs. Josh would probably get back to his video games, David to his book, and Sophie to her dolls. She always went to say hi whenever she left the house and came back.

"I want pepperoni and chicken!" Josh yelled back.

"Me too!" Sophie yelled from up the stairs. "Remember, no onions!" She added before she disappeared.

"Yes, ma!" I yelled sarcastically.

"I want vegan," my eldest told me halfway down the stairs.

I nodded and turned to Billy, who had just finished setting aside everything we had taken to the beach.

"Do you mind making the order? I need to go and shower. I have got sand in all the wrong places."

"Need some company?" Billy wiggled his brow at me, his blue eyes glowing with mischief.

I stiffened before replying. "Is going to be a quick shower."

My voice was cold and detached. Billy tried to hide his disappointment, but I caught a glimpse before he left the room to call the pizza place in town.

As I bounded up the stairs, I tried giving myself some pep talk. I need to get over this and get my shit together before it cost me my marriage. I don't want to lose Billy; I love him.

I promised myself to try as I walked into the shower.

As we ate our dinner, we chatted and laughed, with Josh and Sophie doing most of the talking and Billy and I laughing and nodding in the right place.

David didn't bother getting involved and just ate his food silently. He was being reticent this evening.

"Are you alright, kiddo?" I looked at him.