Lottie folded her arms in a huff. ‘What’s he done now?’
‘He went and scattered Mum’s ashes without me.’
‘He did what?’ yelled Lottie, making everyone turn.
Robson was the first to join the table. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Lee scattered Birdy’s ashes without Ginny,’ said Lottie, before Ginny had a chance to draw breath.
Sophie wrapped an arm around Ginny’s shoulders. ‘Ooh, I never liked him, little runt.’
‘Why did he do that, Gin?’ asked Spencer.
Ginny shrugged. ‘He said it didn’t matter who was there. It was just the ashes. He didn’t even put her where she wanted to be.’
‘Where did he put her?’ asked Alice.
Ginny thumbed towards the door. ‘Up his way. Some memorial ground.’
Sophie clenched her fists and growled. ‘Ooh, that horrible git.’
‘It’s okay, Soph. I’m not going to stress over it.’ Ginny sighed, smiling gently at her concerned friends. ‘I’m going to put up a birdhouse at my new place, and that will be in memory of my mum.’
‘I don’t mean to be rude, Gin,’ said Matt, ‘but I’m surprised at how good you are about her.’ Sophie nudged him, and he frowned. ‘I’m not trying to say anything out of line here, but after finding out about your upbringing, I’m just a bit . . . I don’t know. I don’t really talk to my mum, so I guess I’m just going by me.’
Ginny glanced over at him. ‘It’s okay. I know she didn’t deserve my love, but she was still my mum, and in all honesty, I just wanted her to notice me. To love me the way she loved Lee. I’m coming to terms with it all now, thanks to Jan helping me, but it’s a slow process.’
‘I think you’re doing brilliantly,’ said Sophie, giving Matt another nudge.
‘Me too,’ said Matt.
‘And we’re all here for you every step of the way,’ said Robson. ‘We’re even going to help you eat that birthday cake, that’s how good we are.’
Everyone laughed, and Ginny waved them away.
‘Go on, get some food in you.’ She snaffled a sausage roll.
‘Here, drink your fizz,’ said Alice, sliding a full glass across the table.’
Ginny wrinkled her nose. ‘I’m not feeling it, Al. I did have a cuppa on the go. Not sure where that’s got to.’ She stretched her neck towards the counter.
‘Ooh, I could go for one,’ said Lottie.
Alice beamed. ‘How about I make us hot chocolate?’
Lottie lightly clapped. ‘Now you’re talking.’
Ginny laughed. ‘Do you even know how to work that fancy gadget back there?’
Alice scoffed. ‘Please. I’m going to boil some milk in a pan, the normal way.’
‘Wait, wait,’ called Sophie, lighting the candles on the cake. ‘Let’s sing to Ginny first.’
‘No, we can skip that part,’ said Ginny.
Robson kissed her cheek. ‘No chance, chick.’
She sat back and watched them flailing their arms while belting out her least favourite song in the world when it was aimed at her, but out of politeness, she threw in a little cheer along with a clap.
