‘Not true,’ I insist. ‘The boys seem to like you, and you’re actually no trouble at all as a house guest.’ The truth is that things would be simpler if she wasn’t here, and I can’t deny that the appearance of her husband has unnerved me more than a little. But what harm can one or two more days do? Although it’s risky, the urge to help this girl won’t go away. I’ll sort out alternative accommodation for Sophie on Sunday or Monday and that will be that. In the meantime, I’ll simply have to hope that Greg doesn’t show his face again.
I’m just going to assume that he doesn’t already know Sophie is staying here. Because if he does, then we couldallbe in danger.
Twenty
TIA
Ed’s at work and the kids are watchingToy Story. I’m squashed in between them on the sofa, trying to block out the TV noise while I attempt to straighten out my thoughts. But my mind is still a terrible jumble. I have no idea what to do or who to turn to for help over these hideous photographs. And I can’t ever seem to get any time to myself to make sense of it all. I tried escaping to the kitchen earlier, where it’s quieter, but Rosie and Leo took it in turns to come and ask me for one thing or another. So I figured I’d have fewer interruptions if we all sat together in the lounge. The TV could keep them entertained, giving me some time to think. I was wrong.
‘Mummy, my toys are naughty. They’re very messy all the time.’ Leo holds out his Buzz Lightyear figure and waggles his finger at it. ‘They make a big mess in my room so we have to tell them off.’
‘Well, then you’ll have to help Buzz tidy up,’ I reply.
‘It’s not Buzz,’ Rosie says knowingly. ‘You’re the one who makes all the mess, Leo.’
‘No I don’t! It’s Buzz. Not me!’
‘All right, you two. Are you going to be quiet and watch this film? Or shall we turn it off and have an early night?’
‘Watch the film,’ Leo says with a scowl, wriggling his bottom deep into the sofa.
‘Rosie?’
She folds her arms across her chest and mumbles something about watching the film.
Putting my arms around their small bodies, I edge them both in towards me and take a breath, confident that they’re about to settle down at last.
‘Mummy, can we have a snack?’ Leo suddenly springs away and gets to his feet.
‘You’ve just had your tea, Leo. Sit back down.’
‘Mummy!’ Rosie cries. ‘He’s in the way, I can’t even see the telly.’
‘Right, that’s it!’ I stand up and click the TV off.
‘Mummy! Don’t turn it off!’
‘Put it back on, Mummy, put it back.’
‘We’re going out,’ I declare. I can’t sit here doing nothing with these thoughts flying around my head and the children constantly clamouring for my attention. I need to do something. I tried to confide in Kelly earlier, but that didn’t work with Fiona gatecrashing our lunch. And even though I’ve texted Kelly a couple of times since, she still hasn’t replied. I guess she’s busy with work and the kids, but I did think she’d have made a little bit of time for me, her best friend. And I won’t even be able to talk to her tomorrow at the regatta, because Ed and the children will be there, not to mention Fiona and Nathan.
There’s only one other option I can think of right now… ‘Okay you two, how would you like to go out and see your Uncle Ash?’
‘Unkash! Unkash!’ Leo cries and starts bounding around the lounge.
‘I’m going to tell Uncle Ash about those mean boys at school so he can put them in prison.’ Rosie folds her arms and nods.
This is the first time today that Rosie’s mentioned those boys at school. I wonder if I should ask her about them. See whether they’ve been persisting with their story.
‘Can I bring Shorty?’ she asks.
‘Quickly then.’
Rosie races up the stairs to fetch her toy giraffe. She’s obviously not upset anymore, so I decide to leave it. There’s no point talking about those boys if she’s happy right now. I’d only be dredging it all up, and the last thing I want is Rosie in tears again.
‘Right, let’s go. Leo, get in your pushchair.’
‘No.’
