‘So,’ I begin, ‘I wanted to let you know, we’ve got a visitor staying with us for a day or two.’
‘A visitor?’ Sonny’s eyes widen.
‘Her name is Sophie, and she’s a friend from when I was younger.’ I hate lying to my kids, but if Sophie really is hiding from an abusive relationship, then I can’t let it get out that I’m giving shelter to a stranger, in case whoever she’s running from susses out where she is.
‘Why’s she staying with us?’ Ryan asks.
‘Because she’s my friend and she’s having a little holiday in Ashridge Falls.’
‘How do you know her?’
‘Well, she’s actually not feeling too well at the moment, so it’s best not to bother her with lots of questions, okay?’
‘You could make her some celery soup,’ Sonny suggests. ‘Like you do when we’re not very well.’
‘That’s a very kind thought, Sonny. It might be a bit hot for soup though.’
Ryan huffs. ‘Why have we got to have people staying? I like it when it’s just us.’
I almost smile at his words – he sounds so like his father. But then I remember that Michael isn’t here any more, and my almost-smile dies on my lips.
‘You’ll hardly know she’s here. She’s very quiet and she won’t bother you if you don’t bother her, okay? Sonny, can you zip your bag up? Your books are going to fall out if you’re not careful.’
We wait for a moment while he sorts out his bag. Ryan doesn’t say anything more. Just scuffs at the dusty kerb with the toe of his shoe. I have to restrain myself from telling him to stop it, that he’ll ruin a perfectly good pair of shoes. I look away and resolve to give him a little bit of space when we get in.
‘So while you two were at school, guess what I’ve been doing?’
‘Working at the shop?’ Sonny guesses.
‘Better than that…’
Ryan feigns disinterest.
‘I made my famous Victoria sponge cake for the regatta.’
‘For the regatta?’ Sonny frowns. ‘But that’s not till Saturday.’
‘It’s lucky I made two then, isn’t it?’
‘Yes!’ He punches the air. ‘So can we have some when we get in?’
‘Maybe.’ I wink.
We turn into our road and walk the remaining two hundred yards to our house.
‘Oh, and, boys, there’s one other thing I need to ask you.’
‘What?’
‘I’d like it if you didn’t tell anyone else about Sophie staying. Because if you do, everyone will want to come and visit us.’ I realise it’s a very unconvincing reason, but I’m hoping that it will sway them both to keep schtum. Sonny always wants to please, so I’m sure he’ll keep the secret. And Ryan might agree to do it if only to prevent the threat of more visitors descending.
‘So it’s a secret?’ Sonny asks.
‘Yes.’
‘What, we can’t tell anyone?’ Ryan looks momentarily interested.
‘No one at all,’ I say. ‘Do you think you can both manage that?’
