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Stella looked to her side to see a face she recognised as one of the fathers of another player.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.’ He looked at her, suddenly embarrassed. ‘You were obviously miles away.’ He laughed gently.
‘No, sorry, you didn’t… I was just, um… yes, thank you.’ She wiped quickly at her face, hoping there were no tears. She seemed unable to tell now if she was crying or not, she felt so numb.
‘I’m Ollie’s dad, that one over there.’ The man pointed to the other side of the field. Stella had no idea which boy he was pointing to but nodded anyway. ‘I think our boys are in the same class at school.’ He put his hand out. ‘I’m Charlie, by the way.’ His smile was warm, sincere.
Stella looked at his hand for a second too long and by the time she put hers out, he’d taken his back, then proffered it again. An awkward handshake followed. ‘I’m Stella. Sorry, I’m not usually…’ She put her hand back in her pocket. ‘Nice to meet you.’ She managed a smile, then looked at the floor. She didn’t know what to say. How could she act normal? ‘I’m sorry, I’ve got to…’ She took her phone out of her pocket and waved it.
‘Oh, of course. Sorry. I just thought I’d say hello.’ He smiled. ‘Another time.’ He waved and turned, walking quickly back along the pitch towards the other end.
Stella immediately felt bad. There was no phone call to answer. No messages, either. Just an unbearable silence. She looked at her last text message to Simon.
Can we at least talk? Please?
The light grey letters on the screen below her words told her he still hadn’t read it.
7
Caroline appeared at the house just after midday, horrified to find the twins – not to mention Bridget – still in their pyjamas.
‘Can I get you a coffee, Caroline? Stella’s on her way back, she’s just messaged me. Five minutes, she says.’ Bridget led Caroline through to the kitchen, suddenly wishing she’d at least wiped the surfaces clean of pancake batter as she clocked Caroline sweep her eyes over the mess.
‘Actually, that would be lovely, thank you.’ Caroline took a seat at the kitchen table, moving a cereal packet to one side as she did. ‘So, what’s happened?’
Bridget hit the button on the coffee machine and it whirred into action, the sound filling the room. ‘Well, she didn’t say much, to be honest. All she said was that he left last night and she hasn’t heard from him since. Hopefully it’s just an argument, I’m sure he’ll be back later.’ Bridget decided against telling Caroline about the tie. It seemed so ridiculous.
‘But that’s not like them, is it? I mean, this hasn’t happened before, has it?’ Caroline reached out to take the steaming coffee cup from Bridget. ‘Thank you.’
Bridget sat down with a sigh. ‘Not that I know of. I’ve never thought of them as great arguers. I mean, I know they argued a bit more when the kids were tiny, but I think we can put that down to tiredness.’
‘Well, that’s par for the course.’ Caroline laughed a little, then caught herself. Bridget didn’t have children of her own and Caroline didn’t know if this was through choice or not. A few seconds of awkward silence followed. Both were relieved to hear the sound of the key in the front door.
‘That must be her.’ Bridget got up and went to meet Stella.
Max ran into the kitchen, his cheeks flushed pink. ‘Hi, Auntie Caroline.’ He crossed the room and gave his aunt a hug.
‘Wow, look at you! You’ve grown so much since I saw you.’ She squeezed him back. ‘How does pizza and sleepover at ours tonight sound? Jake’s back from university for the weekend, hopefully.’ Caroline’s sons, Jake and Arthur, adored Max and he, of course, loved hanging out with them. And Caroline relished having the twins to herself, deprived as she was of female company in her own household.
‘Sounds good, thank you.’ Max nodded enthusiastically. His eyes narrowed momentarily. ‘Is Mum not coming?’
Caroline fixed her smile in place. ‘She’s got a lot of work to do later, so I said I’d take you all off her hands for a bit. She’ll come and get you tomorrow. Hopefully she can join us for Sunday lunch.’
‘Oh, OK.’ Max nodded. ‘I’ll go and get changed.’
‘Put some pyjamas in a bag, toothbrush too,’ Caroline called after him.
Stella walked into the kitchen just as Max left. ‘Hey.’ She managed a smile.
‘Hey, how are you doing?’ Caroline stood up and kissed her sister on both cheeks.
‘Fine. Well, not really.’ Stella shrugged. ‘Thanks for holding the fort, Bridge.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Bridget smiled. ‘I did tell the girls to get dressed, but I’m not sure I’ve quite got the knack when it comes to being forceful.’
‘No, you’re definitely the fun one compared with me.’ Stella laughed gently. ‘I’ve just told them to go up. I’ll go and see how they’re getting on.’
Caroline took her cup over to the sink. ‘No, let me go. I’ll give them a hand. I take it you haven’t heard anything?’
