‘Why you thinking that?’
Scott tells him about Brianna, the job he’s done as a parent and how Heather has made both him and Brianna question everything. Before he knows it, he’s passing Hamid his phone and showing him not only interactions on the online parents' forum, but Heather’s profile picture, too. The one where her skin is smooth and her hair falls down her back like a dark brown curtain.
‘Wow! She’s pretty, dude,’ Hamid says, returning the phone. ‘You could do worse.’
The response is visceral.
‘Oh no. No way,’ replies Scott as he tucks his phone into his trouser pocket. ‘I could never be with an over-the-top parent like that.’
‘Well, mate. Something I learnt from doing this job is that, for most people, the reason they do stuff - even crazy things - is it’s the only thing they can do, given their circumstances. Maybe something’s made your little lady behave the way she does?’
There is it again. That phrase.Given the circumstances.
‘You think?’
‘Everyone has a reason for everything they do,’ Hamid replies. ‘You’ve just not seen her reason yet.’
***
Three days later, Scott is in Hamid’s minivan, being taken to the airport, when an unknown number shows up on his phone. He takes the call without thinking twice.
‘Hello, Mr Reynolds? This is Theresa Kelly from—’
Shit. He doesn’t need to hear any more. He recognises the name from the numerous letters he’d kept hidden from Brianna. Scott ditches the call and blocks the number. He knows what this call is about and he’s not ready. He’s just not ready.
FRESHMAN PARENTS' ONLINE FORUM: ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
Oh my! Freshers' Flu is a real thing. Daughter’s not left her flat in 4 days. FOUR DAYS!!! Any ideas what I can do to help?
I sent mine with a remedy pack. Still got sick.
I’ve sent these. Seem to work. Good luck!www.amazon.co.uk/teenagemultis/extraboost
Chapter 9
HEATHER
‘HappyBirthday,darling!’Heatherkeeps her tone bright and breezy when Georgia opens the door to her student accommodation at 2 pm on the dot. ‘No homemade cake today, I’m afraid. The car failed its MOT, so I came up on the bus and got these from Fisher and Donaldson on my way past.’ Heather extends the box containing twelve cupcakes with sparkly raspberry flavoured frosting.
Is it Heather’s imagination, or does Georgia, who’s still hiding behind the front door, seem a little under the weather?
‘You remembered I was coming today, right?’
The door inches open as another body snuggles up to Georgia’s and peers through the gap between the door and the architrave.
‘Heather!’ Brianna screams when their eyes meet. ‘Come in. Come in. Georgia. Move.’
Georgia is shunted to the side, allowing Heather into the flat. It feels as if someone has ramped the central heating to the maximum. Both girls wear vest tops and short flowing skirts, more in keeping with summer on the Mediterranean than Scotland at the beginning of winter.
‘Wow. It’s hot in here.’ Heather pulls the woollen hat from her head, the winter coat from her torso, and the scarf from around her neck.
‘Birthday cupcakes! Goodie!’ Brianna springs from foot to foot like an excitable gazelle.
