AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tally’s given us scant information about her birthday bash, other than that we’re staying in a barn on the Pembrokeshire coast and that we should pack swimmers. I can’t imagine that the sea around Wales is going to be particularly balmy in late April but I add a couple of swimming costumes into my bag just in case.
Downstairs I can hear Lila chatting away to Mum. She’s been looking forward to this weekend even more than I have and I’m trying not to take it too personally. My baby’s growing up so fast! It’s the first time I’ll have been away from her for two nights in a row, which is a bit mad considering she’s almost five. She seems completely unbothered by the fact and has already ‘packed’ her own bag ready for a weekend at her grandparents’. Unsure as to how often she’ll need her inflatable pumpkin costume over the weekend, I’ve added a few other essentials too (clothes, pants, her favourite teddies). I’ve even gone as far as a couple of handwritten notes on the off chance that she misses me. I sling her bag over my shoulder, head downstairs and scoop Lila up in my arms, breathing her in.
‘We’ll be fine!’ Mum says, sensing my apprehension.
Lila wriggles free and gives me a sympathetic look. ‘It’s okay. You’ll have fun when you get there.’
I try not to well up at the fact that my young daughter is trying to put me at ease when I’m pretty sure it should be the other way around.
‘Have fun with Granny and Grandpa,’ I sniff. ‘I love you.’
After waving them off, I turn back to my empty house. There’s a fluffy toy discarded on the floor in the hall which I pick up and hold to my heart. What will I do without my little girl for the weekend? How will I ever—
‘Ooh, champagne!’ I say, spotting the bottle of fizz Mum has left on my kitchen table.
It would be really weird to open it now, by myself, wouldn’t it?
Or would it?
Inappropriately few seconds later and the cork is popped, I’ve poured a flute and I’m shimmying around my bedroom adding things that aren’t even on my packing list into my overnight bag.
Joe has one hand on his hip and a pointed look on his face as he steps into my home and assesses the scene. The scene is me now chugging straight from the bottle of champagne while trying to encourage the last few clothes into my bag with my foot.
‘Let me get this straight,’ he says, one eyebrow arched. ‘I’m driving?’
I look sheepishly at the bottle in my hand. ‘That does appear to be the case.’
‘Hmm,’ says Joe, zipping up my heaving bag, hoisting it onto his broad shoulder and loading it into the boot of his car.
‘The good news is,’ I call, trailing after him, ‘that you will have my sparkling self for company all the way.’
The corners of his mouth twitch up the tiniest amount, which pleases me no end.
‘I’ve got snacks and great chat,’ I continue.
Joe narrows his eyes. ‘What snacks?’
‘Have you tried these before?’ I ask, pulling a healthy protein bar out of the back pocket of my jeans. ‘They’re called Hype Beast and the main ingredient is egg whites!’
Joe shakes his head at me.
‘Let’s hope the promised great chat is better than the “snacks”.’
‘Rude,’ I say, unwrapping one and taking a bite.
For anyone wondering, egg-based protein bars and champagne do not a merry combination make.
I’m finding it hard to strap myself into the front seat of Joe’s car what with the open bottle of booze and disgusting snacks in my hands. He watches me for a while, amused, until he realises that I really am getting nowhere. With an exaggerated huff, he unbuckles his own seatbelt and leans across to strap me in. I’m suddenly Very Aware of his physical presence.
‘And here I was thinking I’d left my child at home for the weekend,’ he mutters.
‘God, Joe, a whole weekend without the kids. Can you imagine?’ I grab his hand and then immediately let go because, what was that electric shock?
‘I don’t think I’ve seen you this giddy before, Sophie Rogers.’ He starts up the engine and gives me a side glance. ‘It suits you.’
‘Blame the champagne. Mum had very sweetly left the bottle in my kitchen and I don’t know what came over me but, well, here we are. Are you mad that you have to drive?’
‘Not remotely.’
