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Chapter Ten
hOw dO YoU fLiRt?
I pulled my clothes out of the washing machine and loaded the dryer up.
“Isn’t John missing you?” I heard Mum ask with a chuckle.
I jumped and turned to face her. She’d obviously just walked in; she was still wearing her pencil skirt and suit jacket. I smiled at her.
“I’ll get back to him. I just figured doing some washing might be helpful.”
“Thanks, darling. It is helpful. Very unlike you, though…” Mum seemed waiting for me to explain something.
“What? Oh, no. I just had some pent up energy, felt like I should do something more than watch John all day and think about homework.”
Mum nodded, but I was pretty sure she didn’t believe me. “Has this got anything to do with the fact that you were humming when I walked in?”
I blinked. “Sorry?”
She smiled wider. “Humming. I haven’t heard you sing or hum in years.”
“Probably because I am the world’s worst singer.” I grinned.
“That never used to stop you and it shouldn’t now.” She ducked in and kissed my head before heading back out. “I’m going to go change. Back in a bit.”
And she was right. I hadn’t sung or hummed in… I couldn’t even remember. Well actually, I sung in the shower now and then when I had a particularly annoying earworm. But, no one could hear me in there so I considered that safe. The fact I was unintentionally humming, well… It was a little south of odd.
I turned on the dryer and wandered out to the living room.
Dad wasn’t home yet so I turned the kettle on to make Mum and me a cup of tea. As I got cups and tea bags out, I realised I was humming Katy Perry. I shook my head with a smile and suddenly wondered what Roman was up to.
Given the time, he was probably helping Carmen deal with Maddy and dinner.
“Why do you even know that?” I muttered to myself.
A week ago I would have had zero ideas what Roman was up to at any given time, even if I could physically see him. I would certainly never have assumed he was at home playing family duties. I’d have guessed he was out looking for his next notch or getting publically drunk and probably arrested for the nineteenth time.
I shouldn’t know that, either.
As I was pouring milk into the cups, Mum walked back in pulling her hair up into a mess of a bun that made me proud.
“You all packed for Saturday?” I asked.
She laughed and pulled herself onto the barstool across the bench from me. “I think so. I mean, it’s only a few days. I don’t even know where we’re going.”
I grinned at her. “Dad is nothing if not a closet romantic.”
“You know, don’t you?” Mum asked as I passed her the cup. “Thanks.”
I did know. I knew almost everything Dad had planned for their twentieth wedding anniversary getaway. But I’d also sworn to secrecy, so I couldn’t tell her that. I gave her my best Roman-blank-stare impression.
“No. He didn’t tell me anything.”
“Lies!” Mum chuckled, then waved her hand. “Fine. You two lie to me then.”
“It’s called a surprise, actually. And, you’ll find out in a few days!”
Her smile dropped and she looked at me. “You going to be okay here by yourself?”
