Read Online Life Or Something Like It by Annie Lyons - Free Book Online

eating out for kids is the fact that they’re not eating at home,’ he said plainly.
    Cat did not know this and she also didn’t go to McDonald’s. Ever. Although she could remember enjoying it as a child, now she was an adult, she could afford to shun fast-food establishments and treat herself to something a little more edifying. So for Cat a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant was something different and wonderful and she had felt sure that the children would quickly be impressed and won over. The trip to the National Gallery had been relatively successful and she decided that they all deserved a treat. Cat was no fool though. She had deliberately chosen a restaurant run by a female chef with children. She not only welcomed kids but had even designed a menu for them. It was where Cat sent all her celebrity mothers with their offspring.
    ‘Wow,’ was all Ellie would say as the maître d’ led them through the elegant dining room to their table.
    ‘Thank you, Philippe,’ said Cat with a smile as they took their places. The children looked bemused when he unfolded their napkins and placed them on their laps. Ellie beamed at Cat and she started to relax a little. Philippe brought the menus, a large one for Cat and two smaller ones for the children.
    ‘I sink you will be wanting ze brunch menu, Miss Nightingale?’ he asked.
    ‘That will be wonderful. Thank you.’ He retreated with a small bow and Cat turned to the children. ‘So they have macaroni cheese, burgers or fishcakes. What do you fancy?’
    Ellie was looking around in wonder and awe. ‘I feel like a princess,’ she breathed. ‘I like the way that man talks too. Can I have macaroni cheese, please?’
    Cat smiled. ‘Of course. Charlie? How about a burger?’
    ‘I want to go home,’ said Charlie, his face clouding over.
    Cat took a deep breath. ‘Come on, let’s have some lunch eh? Ellie is looking forward to it,’ she said with meaning.
    Charlie scowled at her but then caught sight of his sister’s hopeful face. ‘I’ll just have chips,’ he said.
    ‘All right,’ said Cat, deciding that it wasn’t worth a battle. ‘And what would you like to drink?’
    ‘Can I have a Coke, please?’ asked Ellie.
    Charlie gave her a disapproving look and was about to open his mouth when he thought better of it. ‘Coke for me too, please,’ he said giving his aunt a rare smile.
    Cat felt encouraged. She would win the children over in one single day and Andrew would have to eat his words. As she placed their order, she spotted Ava being led through the restaurant. She was with a companion whom Cat recognised as Caroline Henderson, a freelance PR consultant Cat had used for the odd campaign. Cat gave them a wave. Caroline looked embarrassed and whispered something to Ava before retreating towards the entrance. Ava made her way over to Cat’s table.
    ‘Darling,’ she said, kissing the air either side of Cat’s head. ‘How are you?’ She emphasised the question by glancing at the children and giving Cat a look of deep sympathy.
    ‘I’m fine. Really,’ said Cat with meaning. ‘What happened to Caroline?’
    ‘She had to pop to the little girl’s room. So!’ said Ava taking a step back.
    ‘I’m Ellie and this is Charlie,’ announced Ellie.
    Ava raised her eyebrows at the little girl. ‘Pleased to meet you, sugar-cheeks. I’m Ava.’
    ‘There’s a girl in my class called Ava,’ said Ellie with authority.
    ‘Is that so?’ said Ava, her mouth twitching into a smile.
    ‘It is so,’ replied Ellie. ‘But she’s mean and I don’t like her. She once poured yoghurt on my skirt.’
    ‘Well that is mean,’ said Ava. ‘You should do it back to her.’
    ‘Should I?’ asked Ellie with intense interest. ‘Won’t I get into trouble?’
    Ava leaned in to the little girl. ‘Not if no-one sees,’ she whispered.
    ‘Ava!’ called Caroline from the other side of the room. Cat looked towards her, ready to smile, but Caroline looked away.
    Ava