‘Much better, thank you. A bit tender, but all good. And as I was about to say to Kate, at some point, once my house is set up, you guys, and Max of course…’ She turns to me. ‘Sorry, it is Max, isn’t it?’
It’s her. I know it. I’m sure of it. Now she’s messing with my head. I tilt my head at her. ‘Yes, that’s right, Max.’
‘Right, so you two and Max can come over for dinner. And you can come over any time,’ she says to Holly. ‘Especially if you need help with your schoolwork.’
‘Thanks, Teri. Yesterday was awesome.’
‘I’m glad.’ She does that thing again, messing Holly’s hair. If I did that to her, she’d swat my hand away. Teri puts her cup in the sink. ‘I’m just going to get my things from the bedroom and I’ll be out of your hair.’
‘And I’m going to get ready for work,’ I say, putting both our cups in the dishwasher.
‘Actually, Kate, could I ask you a massive favour?’ Teri says.
My stomach drops. I force a smile. ‘If I can help. What is it?’
‘Could you drive me to Tesco? There isn’t a scrap of food in my house, and with my ankle, I don’t feel confident driving just yet.’
‘I would, but…’ I glance at the clock on the wall. ‘I’ve got to go to work.’
‘I didn’t mean right now, but would you have time later today? Like lunchtime maybe?’
‘Lunchtime? I’ve only got forty-five minutes break, so?—’
‘That would be plenty. It won’t take long, I promise. I just don’t want to spend all day at home without eating.’
‘You could stay here if you like,’ Holly says. ‘Go home tomorrow.’ She turns to me, eyebrows raised, as if to say,‘What difference would it make?’
Big, big difference actually.
Teri opens her mouth to speak, her face clearly delighted by the suggestion. I jump in.
‘No, no need. That should be fine. I could pick you up at twelve fifteen?’
‘Great!’ she says. ‘Thank you so much, Kate. I’ll get my things. I’ll just be a sec.’
In my bedroom, I pull the shoebox out from under my bed and shove it in my holdall. I know Teri won’t be here anymore, but I’m not taking any chances.
23
‘Kate!’ Mike calls behind me as I reach the door to my class.
‘Mike. Hello.’
‘Would you have a moment during your lunch break? Mrs Ashford-Wells wants to have a word to discuss the situation.’
‘Again?’
‘I’m afraid so. I think we can put it to bed once and for all. Would you mind terribly? I’ll try to keep it to twenty minutes.’
I bite my lip. I can’t keep up with all this anymore. It’s too much. ‘Lunchtime isn’t ideal,’ I say. Not only do I have to take Teri shopping, but I also have a body to thaw. If I want to take him out on Saturday night, then I need to turn him off today. At lunchtime.
‘Oh?’ he says, watching me over his glasses.
‘It’s just that I’m helping a friend who is unwell. I promised to take her shopping. Could we do it another time?’
He sighs. ‘Let me see what I can do. I’ll give her a call and set something up. Come and see me when you’re back after lunch and I’ll let you know.’ The bell rings. ‘You’d better get in there,’ he says.
‘Thank you, Mike. Sorry about that.’
