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“You’ve become one of those girls who gets a boyfriend and dumps her friends.”
She wiggles her wedding ring in my face. “I’m a married woman, I have to put his needs first. Who are you sleeping with lately? You never tell me anything.”
I laugh. “You never ask.”
“I’m asking now. I feel I’m missing out on single life, so I’m living it through you. Tell me it’s Archer,” she says wistfully.
“He’s pretty to look at,” I admit. Albert clears his throat from behind me, and I jump in fright.When the hell did he get here?
“Don’t let me stop you,” he says, sitting the other side of me as Mama B hands him a coffee.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
“I’ve got a meeting with Mav,” he says, stirring his coffee. “Continue, I want to hear all about you and Archer.”
“So, you are sleeping with him?” Meli gasps.
I feel uncomfortable. “No, of course not.”
“But you want to,” she says excitedly.
“It sounds like you want to,” Albert confirms.
“Christ, I just want to eat my breakfast,” I snap. Ollie saunters in half-dressed for school. “I’ll drive you,” I tell him. “Eat something, you have five minutes.”
“I’m walking,” he mutters, not bothering to look at me.
“I promised I’d get you to school,” I say, standing.
“I can get myself to school,” he snaps angrily, and Mav and Albert stand at the same time.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” Mav growls.
“I’ll take you to school,” adds Albert. “Get your shit together now.”
The kitchen clears soon after, leaving me alone with Mama B, who takes the opportunity to join me at the table. “You okay?”
I nod. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
She shrugs. “You look different, Rosey. Not your usual self.”
“I’m fine.”
“You can talk to me,” she offers.
“Isn’t that weird for you?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
She shakes her head and smiles kindly. “Why would it be? You’re a member of this club just like any other.”
“I went to see my mum last night,” I blurt out, unable to stop it.
She looks surprised. “How did it go?”
“I don’t understand why she’s back.” I scrub my face with my hands. “Everything seems to be spiralling at the moment. Mum being back, Ollie acting . . . well, acting like a teenager. I just feel like I’m losing grip on life.”
“Teenagers are hard work,” she admits. “Maverick was so much harder than the girls.”
“Really?” I ask with a laugh. “Even harder than Meli?”
