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I grab the paper for something to occupy myself with, scanning the lineup of dancers for Friday. It all looks fine. That’s ten seconds killed. I throw it down on my desk and search for something else to do, struggling to find anything. Everything is always in tiptop order these days – Mum, Penny, and Callum running things smoothly, freeing me up to take care of my girl. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Lola and I have been busy overseeing the new build in the village where I grew up. Only a few more weeks and I’ll be moving my girls out of here to the tranquil green pastures of the countryside. I have my future perfectly mapped out for the first time in my life. A quaint village school, my childhood church, a garden that stretches for acres with no neighbours within a mile radius. Perfect. I smile, falling into a daydream. A daydream that soon won’t be a dream at all.
I watch as Penny fusses over Lola, walking around the room bouncing my baby in her arms. ‘What’s going on with you and Judy?’ I ask, desperate to put that one last grievance to rest.
Penny gives me a tired look. ‘She needs reminding that the girls are my responsibility. Her job is the finance side of things. Tell her to keep her nose out.’
‘Why can’t you get along?’ I ask, for the millionth time. My life would be truly complete if the two of them would stop with the cat snipes.
‘Because, dear brother, I am the bastard child of our dear bastard father.’ She tucks Lola on to her side and gives me a knowing look. ‘She hates me.’
I sigh, exasperated. My sister has a thick skin, and I’m thankful. Not many would stick around to face the daily wrath of my mother. ‘I’ll speak to her.’
‘Again?’ Penny asks, a curve to her lips. She’s right. It’ll make no difference. ‘Don’t sweat it. I can handle her. We have a love-hate thing going on. Keeps us both on our toes.’ She winks at me, and I smile in return. I know they tolerate each other for me. It could be worse, I suppose. Penny’s nose suddenly wrinkles, and she looks at her niece suspiciously. ‘I think someone’s filled her nappy.’
‘Her changing bag’s over there.’ I point across the office, with no faith my hint will be taken.
‘That’s nice,’ Penny quips. ‘You’re an expert these days.’ She heads over to give me back what’s mine, but is interrupted halfway when Mum comes bowling in. My arms hang suspended in the air.
‘Ah, there she is!’ Mum hurries over to Penny. ‘Give her here.’ She claims her granddaughter and smothers her chubby face with kisses.
My arms drop heavily. ‘Like pass the fucking parcel,’ I mutter. ‘Ewww!’ Mum holds Lola at arm’s length, mirroring Penny’s turned-up nose of a minute ago. Lola isn’t fazed. She laughs and kicks enthusiastically in Mum’s arms. ‘Stinky girl! Yes you are!’
Penny swipes up her dance schedule and strolls out. ‘Her changing bag is over there,’ she calls over her shoulder.
Mum doesn’t reply, but hurries over to the corner and collects up Lola’s bag. ‘I’ll see to her,’ she says, taking my girl away.
‘Bring her straight back,’ I yell as the door slams behind her. And I feel lost again. I glance down at my watch, counting the minutes until I can collect Izzy.
‘Want to come and check out the new cage?’ Callum asks, sensing I need something to keep me busy until Mum brings Lola back.
I’m up from my chair quickly, giving my answer. We wander through to the club together, finding a few girls practicing routines on the stage. ‘I don’t miss it, you know,’ I muse, taking in the space. I only venture into the Playground when I need to, and I really don’t need to these days.
‘Well, that’s because you have better things to occupy yourself with.’ Callum leads the way over to the new cage, which is sitting prominently on the other side of the club. The metal is shiny, the floor spotless. Not for long. Sweat and blood will soon take care of that. ‘How’s the house coming along?’
The mention of our new haven in the countryside lifts me. ‘Great. We should be set to move in a few weeks.’
‘And you’re ready for a life in the middle of nowhere?’ Callum asks, glancing across at me.
I only have to think about my happy childhood in the village to know I’m doing the right thing. ‘This is no place to bring up a child.’
Callum opens the door of the cage and gestures for me to enter, and I step up and wander into the middle, gazing around. ‘Nice,’ I muse, and Callum laughs.
‘What?’
His chuckles continue as he looks at me standing in the middle of the cage, his finger pointing to my torso. ‘You’re such a mean motherfucker.’
