Page 58 of The Interview

My insides fill with warmth and an overwhelming need to be in his arms.

“Excuse me,” I say to Kenzie before I stand and unclip my mic.

When I turn to face my husband, his eyes are already on me. He opens his arms, and I walk right into them, to my safe space. He holds me against him, refilling my empty emotional cup.

“The boys are in a pissing contest over who can flirt with Makenzie Wild harder,” Cam whispers in my ear.

I pull back so I can look up at him. “Who’s gonna get the girl?”

“George has more rizz. H is playing it cool.”

My grin widens. None of my kids have had a serious relationship yet. We’ve met a couple of dates they’ve taken to events, but none of them have ever told us they’re serious with anyone. I think the girls are a little bit guarded because of who they’re related to, whereas the boys wear their familial ties like a badge of honour, claiming the Layton connection acts as a babe magnet.

“Have a word with your children; they’re embarrassing me,” Kiki leans in and whispers in my ear.

“They’re more related to you than me. You have a word,” I whisper back as George throws his head back in exactly the same way Cam does and releases a big, booming laugh at something Kenzie just showed him on her phone.

Harry gives him the side-eye and feigns only mild interest when Kenzie offers up her mobile to show him whatever it is George just found so hilarious.

George catches us all watching and shrugs. “Dad took a chance on the rock star’s bird and did all right, so I might as well stand on business and shoot my shot,” he says with a cocky grin.

“She’ll eat you alive,” Kiki tells him.

“Hush your noise.” He presses his finger to his lips. “She may be taken, but at least we’re on the same continent,” he tells his sister, and my mumma senses are instantly on high alert.

“Why? Who’s not on the same continent?” I step out of Cam’s arms and turn to face my daughter, who’s currently flipping her middle finger at her brother.

“What continent? What are we talking about? Why you flipping him off? What d’you do to my sister?” Tallulah emerges from the butler’s pantry with a glass of Prosecco in her hand.

“Is it even midday yet?” I question.

Lu takes a sip from the stemless champagne flute.

“Does it matter? We’re about to get to the part where you meet Daddy. I’m gonna need a drink and popcorn for this. Infact, I think I speak for all my siblings when I say we’re all gonna need a drink for this part.”

I turn to look at Cam, conscious that my mouth is opening and closing but no words are coming out.

The door from the driveway into the studio opens, and Ash walks in.

“Oh, good timing. Pour us one of them, will ya, babe? Hair of the dog and all that,” she says to Lu.

“Oi, oi. Did ya miss me?” Marley calls out as he follows Ash through the door.

I close my eyes. This scene, all of what’s going on around me right now, is the absolute perfect analogy of my life. How I’ve survived the constant switches from serenity to utter chaos within seconds, I don’t know.

An arm wraps around my waist, and I’m pulled back into Cam’s chest.Thisis how I’ve survived,thrivedin fact:him. Him and all of these people surrounding me right now.

“You might as well pour Jim one, too, her and Len have just pulled up on the drive,” Ash calls out to whoever is in charge of the drink situation.

“You okay?” Cam asks with his mouth pressed against my ear.

“I’m good,” I say on an exhale as I turn and press my back into his front and take in the room.

Marley is talking to Daniel, Ash is in the pantry with Lu organising drinks, and George and Harry are still attempting to ‘tune’ Makenzie. Kiki is sitting on the sofa I’ve been conducting my interview from, talking on her phone, and Jimmie and Lennon have just walked through the door holding hands.

I can’t help but laugh.

I’ve no idea what Daniel must be thinking about all of this. He came here to interview me and instead got a large percentage of the Laytons thrown in for good measure.