‘She’ll be wanting to play Wordle,’ Paula remarks, picking up her handbag. ‘She hasn’t missed a day yet.’
‘Me neither,’ Kate replies. ‘I do it first thing every morning with my coffee. Maybe I’ll pick her up some crossword puzzle books later.’
I didn’t know Kate was a Wordle fan– but considering she’s usually out the door before I get up, how could I?
‘Give Gubba my love,’ Kate tells them. ‘I’ll come and see her tomorrow. I’m sure she could use some peace and quiet today, without me blubbering over her.’
‘We’ll be back in time to pick Tom up,’ Gary says. ‘Will you both be here for dinner?’
‘I’ll pick him up,’ Kate insists. ‘I was going to take him for hot chocolate.’
‘And I’m going to stop by and see my parents,’ I reply. ‘So I’ll probably eat with them.’
‘Very good,’ Gary responds before wiping his glasses on his jumper. ‘You ready then, Paula, love? I’ve put the spare travel case in the car already.’
Five minutes later, Kate and I are alone on the couch. Her face looks visibly less anxious, the small lines between her eyebrows gradually smoothing out. She stares into space, just decompressing.
‘Say hi to your mum and dad for me,’ she finally says. ‘Tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t come round.’
‘Yeah, course I will,’ I reply. ‘They’ll understand, it’s fine.’
‘Have you told them about us?’ she asks. ‘You know, splitting up.’
I sit back on the couch and sigh. ‘Honestly? I don’t know how to. I’ve been waiting until. . . well, until I get my head around it a bit more. I still need to sort out where I’m going to live and if I’ll even stay in London.’
‘You’d leave London?’
‘Maybe,’ I reply. ‘Fresh start and all that. I can teach anywhere.’
Kate goes quiet again. I get the feeling the conversation is over.
‘I’ll see you later tonight,’ I say, standing up. ‘Get some rest.’
I automatically lean in and kiss the top of her head before pulling back. ‘Ah shit, sorry,’ I say. ‘Old habits.’
She pulls me back in and hugs me tightly before heading upstairs.
Kate
When my alarm wakes me at 2pm, it takes me a second to remember where I am, before it hits me. My first thought is relief that Gubba’s going to be all right, closely followed by disappointment that Ed’s not lying beside me like he was last night. My third thought is filthy and entirely inappropriate, so I spring out of bed, pretending it didn’t happen.
Tom’s school gets out at 2.45pm, which gives me time to grab a quick coffee before I have to leave. I feel like I’m running off coffee fumes these days, but needs must.
I borrow a pair of Mum’s jogging trousers and head down to collect Tom. I decide to give Lauren a call, to update her about Gubba.
‘Ha! That woman will outlive us all,’ Lauren says. ‘That’s brilliant news.’
‘I know,’ I reply, hearing my trainers squeak as I walk. Have they always done that? ‘I’m so relieved. Can you ask that person to turn off the hairdryer while I speak, it’s very rude.’
‘Sorry, your majesty, I’ll go to the back,’ she replies. ‘Oh. . . is Ed still there?’
‘Yup. He says he’ll stay as long as I need him. He’s been so great.’
‘Well, that’s because he is great,’ she informs me. ‘And fit. Greatand fit. Men don’t usually come with both of those qualities, you know. Or if they do, it’s because they’re like three foot tall or perhaps lacking in other areas.’
‘I know. . . I know. . .’
‘Listen, my client’s just come in, I’ll call you later. So glad about Granny. Love you!’
