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‘Come up,’ he says, handing Tommy over when he starts to wriggle.
‘Hey, Tom-Toms,’ she croons, kissing his head and rocking him in her arms. ‘Hey there, little babba.’
‘Leave your shoes on,’ Sam says, itching to get upstairs. ‘Carpet’s old as time anyway.’
He walks ahead, senses her on the stairs behind him. On the landing outside the nursery, he throws open the door and stands back to let her inside. He has left the circus lamp on, the blinds closed to get the full effect. The room looks magical in the dim, dancing light. At the sight, Naomi’s mouth drops open just as Joyce’s did.
‘Sam,’ she whispers, stepping slowly inside. ‘Oh my God.’
He draws up the blind, letting in the late-afternoon sun. ‘I made this out of my gran’s old cocktail cabinet,’ he says, opening the drop-down door. ‘Remember it was in the garage? Anyway, I saw these in John Lewis and thought, I could make one. It’s a pretty similar shape and size.’
She nods, her eyes wide with what looks like amazement. ‘Oh my God.’
‘Look! You’ve got all the gear, all handy.’
She is shaking her head, her eyes shining. ‘I can’t believe it. I can’t take it in. You’ve done all this yourself?’
‘Joyce helped. Nonna Joyce.’
‘It’s amazing, absolutely amazing.’ She has crossed the room and is standing so close he can smell her perfume. It takes him back to her before. He almost leans down to kiss her, but she places a hand flat on his cheek. ‘I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe it.’
He stays perfectly still. He does not want her to move her hand from his cheek, does not want the three of them to break apart, not even by a centimetre. ‘I thought if you saw it, you’d know I’m serious. About Tommy.’
She smiles, but her expression is sad. ‘Is it all about Tommy? Only Tommy?’
He meets her gaze, sees hurt.
‘No,’ he says. ‘It’s… Actually, I was wondering if we could go out to dinner? If I could take you out?’
‘On, like… like a date? As in not just mates?’
He nods.
She shifts Tommy to the opposite hip. ‘But you know it wouldn’t be like a first date, don’t you? It’s a big thing to ask. For us, I mean. You’d have to be sure.’
‘I am sure.’
She breathes deeply, her out-breath shaky. For a moment he thinks she is going to say no.
‘OK,’ she says. ‘I’ll see if Cheryl or Jo can babysit.’
‘Friday?’
‘OK.’ The smile becomes a grin. ‘I’ll come to Lyme. I don’t mind driving. But I really do have to go now.’
She flies out of the room, almost bumping into Joyce.
‘Well?’ Joyce says. ‘What d’you think?’
Naomi giggles. ‘Oh my God, it’s amazing!’
Together they head towards the stairs. Sam goes ahead but is barely at the mezzanine when he hears a loud cry followed by a horrible protracted thud. Joyce’s glasses bounce past his feet. He swivels round. Sees Joyce: torso and arms stretched down the stairs, the rest of her still on the landing.
Naomi is standing over her, hand clapped to her mouth, Tommy on her hip. ‘Oh my God, Joyce, are you OK?’
‘I’m fine!’ Joyce remains still, as if she can’t figure out how to begin getting up.
Sam rushes up the few stairs. Crouches carefully beside Joyce and takes her gently by the shoulders.
