He’s been ignoring Lorraine’s messages lately, but this engagement is safe. And tolerable.
"Remind you of anyone?’"he types.
Her response is in by the time he’s slugged down a half litre of water and two energy bars.
"OMG, Scott. She’s so like our Lucy."
Our Lucy.
Scott doesn’t have time to respond before another message comes in from her.
"Brings a tear to my eye."
"Exactly," he says.
He knows he could elaborate, and he understands she’s desperate for more, but it’s enough for now. The other unsaid things are better left. He just needed someone to engage with the initial thought for a second. He’s about to put his phone away when the communication he’s been actively avoiding presents itself.
"She’d have loved to be there, shopping with B," she says.
He swallows hard as he types his response. "Yep. I know."
"But maybe, given Lucy isn’t here any longer, B’s got almost the next best thing?"Scott knows his sister-in-law and understands she’s testing the water. But the idea of Heather being the next best thing for Brianna? For himself? He’s not ready for that. He flicks through his recent interactions with Heather. There’s no denying that they’ve become increasingly familiar, almost jokey with one another recently, in a way that once felt impossible with another woman. Lorraine’s words,The next best thing, roll around in his brain until she does what Scott most fears in opening up the pathway of communication. "BTW, it’s nearly time. Have you given it any more thought?"
She should know better. She really, really should know better. Because Leon’s getting out soon and the wife killer wants to see him. But it’s too much, it’s all too much. He closes the chat down and zips the phone back into his pocket while mentally replying to his sister-in-law:Nope. Thanks very much. I couldn’t give two shits about giving it any more thought.
‘Right, everyone. Next big push,’ Luca shouts.
Scott remounts his bike and as he cycles one persistent thought circles like a loop with each rotation of the pedals:Might Heather be the next best thing?
But he knows the risks of letting someone close. The gut-clenching agony when they leave. And yes, Heather’s openness, honesty and integrity are all characteristics that he admires. But how can he chance going there again, especially on the back of the promise he made to Lucy?
There’s a simple answer: he can’t.
FRESHMAN PARENTS' ONLINE FORUM: ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
Well, that’s a wrap! Thanks for your support over semester 1. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. Can’t wait to spend some quality time with my YP.
Happy holidays, everyone. Quick reminder - check the fridge. Found a 2-month-old courgette at bottom of DS’s shelf. Was a sloppy pile of goo. Yuk!
Safe travels everyone. At Baltimore airport, waiting for flight to Marrakesh. Can’t WAIT to see my boy. Btw, what’s courgette?
Soz! Zucchini :)
Ah! Yup. That’s gross.
Thanks for the translation. And, yes, happy hols!
