Page 17 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘What?’

She followed his gaze to the grill where black smoke was coming out of it.

‘Oh, Jesus bloody Christ.’

She pulled out the grill pan. The toast hadn’t caught fire, but it was black.

‘I can scrape it off. It’ll be fine.’

Pauline grabbed a knife from the cutlery drawer and began scraping the soot from the toast into the sink.

‘Someone got out of bed on the wrong side this morning,’ Anthony said, sitting down at the table.

‘Something like that. Pour yourself some tea,’ she instructed him. ‘You’re feeling better this morning?’

‘Yes. Probably just one of those bugs that goes round.’

‘Yes. I don’t think going out in the middle of a storm helps, either. Jam or marmalade?’ She placed two well-cooked slices of toast on a plate in front of him.

‘Both.’

‘Manners.’

‘Please.’

She placed pots of jam and marmalade in front of him and he smeared a thick layer of each on the two slices.

‘I was thinking…’ he began.

‘Not with your mouth full,’ Pauline interrupted him. She poured herself a cup of tea and sat opposite him. ‘Have you taken your tablet this morning?’

He swallowed. ‘Yes. I was thinking, I might ask Mrs Wilkinson if she’ll ask Mr Graham if I can have the supervisor’s job when Mrs Abbot leaves at Christmas.’

‘She’s only going off to have a baby, Anthony. She’ll be back.’

‘I know, but I can be the supervisor while she’s away.’

‘Do you think you can do it?’

‘Yes. I’ve been helping her anyway when she’s felt sick. You can hear her retching in the toilets.’

‘Not at the breakfast table, Anthony.’

‘Doyouthink I can do it?’ he asked, looking hopefully at his mother.

She looked back at him, took in the wide-eyed optimism, and smiled. ‘I don’t see why not. Just… don’t get your hopes up.’

‘Why not?’

‘Just… don’t. That’s why,’ she said, picking up her empty cup and taking it to the sink. ‘Now, go up and brush your teeth.’

Anthony stood up and headed for the door.

‘Hold on a minute, young man,’ Pauline said. ‘What are those you’re wearing?’

He looked down at himself. ‘Trousers.’

‘You’re not wearing those to work. You’ve had them years. They’re faded and bobbling.’