‘Okay.’ Sonny nods vigorously while Ryan shrugs.
My phone buzzes as we reach the house. I check the screen and see that Tia’s sent a text:
Got time for a chat?
She seemed quite down earlier. Maybe she wants to tell me what’s wrong. I’d usually call her right back, but there’s too much I need to sort out here. I’ll call her later. I stuff my phone back in my bag and we go inside. Once the boys are settled in the kitchen with huge slabs of cake and tall glasses of iced lemonade, I race upstairs to see how Sophie’s doing.
‘Knock, knock,’ I say outside the bedroom door.
‘Come in.’ Sophie’s lying on the bed reading a magazine.
‘Hi, just wondering if you want to come down and meet my kids?’
She looks a little taken aback.
‘It’s just… if you’re staying here, it’s probably best if you say hello. In case they bump into you on the landing or something.’
‘Oh, okay, but what if they say something to their friends?’
‘Don’t worry, they’ve promised not to say anything to anyone. I’ve told them you’re an old friend come to stay.’
‘Are you sure they won’t talk?’ Her forehead creases in concern.
‘It’ll be fine, honestly.’ Although I sound more confident than I feel.
‘Okay.’ Sophie gets to her feet. Wraps her arms around herself.
‘I can lend you some pyjamas and fresh clothes later, if you like. And, I should’ve said before, you’re welcome to take a shower.’
‘That would be really nice. Thanks.’ She follows me down the stairs and I walk back into the kitchen more breezily than I feel. Both boys have finished eating and are now fully focused on their phones. Heads down, tapping and scrolling.
‘Hey boys, this is Sophie who I was telling you about.’
After a second or two, Sonny looks up and gives a shy smile. Ryan doesn’t react.
‘Ryan, put your phone down for a minute and say hi.’
‘Hi,’ he says without looking up.
I tut and open my mouth to reprimand him but Sophie’s hand rests on my arm. ‘It’s fine,’ she whispers. ‘Leave him.’
I’m torn between telling him off and avoiding a scene. The latter wins out and I shrug an apology to our house guest.
‘You don’t look like one of Mum’s friends,’ Sonny says, staring.
‘Why, what do they look like?’ Sophie’s more animated around Sonny than she’s been around me.
‘They’re older,’ he says, in that blunt way kids have.
‘Charming!’ I shake my head.
‘Mum, can I have some more cake?’ he asks, trying his luck.
‘No, you’ll ruin your dinner. Maybe later. Sophie, do you want a slice?’
‘I’m fine. I’ll go back up, if that’s okay.’ She eyes the window nervously.
I want to tell her that the kitchen window looks out onto the back garden. That she’s hidden from view. That no one will be peering in. But then I remember thatsheended up in my back garden and it wouldn’t be too difficult for someone else to jump the fence or jimmy the gate lock. I give a brief shiver. ‘Okay, sure. Let me know if you need anything.’
