The smoothie smelled green, heavy with spinach. Amy had made enough to feed an army. “Shall I pour you some? ”
“No.
I’ll have a nice cup of tea, no sugar. ”
Billy once told me about forgiveness. Said when you forgive someone, you feel light and free. “You don’t look very light and free to me.
”
Morning came with Cassie at the door, thanking me for being the bigger person. “We both came late to this parenting lark, but you’re a brilliant mum, and I just want the chance to be a good dad. ”
I thought Tracy would have told him to do one. She was tearing shreds off him last night, but apparently it was all peachy now.
“So you let him off then, Trace? ”
“He slept with me for money when I was underage. And today it’s all forgotten. ”
“No, actually it’s not.
”
“But Russ has explained he was 18 himself, and the other squad pushed him into it. ”
“Yeah, right. Poor him. ”
“We all make mistakes, Cassie.
Unfortunately, you were his. Anyway, we’re going to make a go of it, so I think we need to all move on. ”
Fair enough. I’d see her at Jill’s funeral.
Later, Roy handed me my gratuities plus a twenty-pound bonus. I joked about spending it on something black and slinky with lots of lace. He reminded me he was going to see Betsy, and Shirley would cover. Then the offer came.
Five grand. Edris’s opening offer for Alfie nearly dying from the mold in that flat. “In my opinion, it’s not enough,” Adam said. “You’re too right.
Given the fact Alfie nearly died, I’d say it was an insult. ”
“If I was you, I’d hold out for the court case. They could offer you so much more. ”
“It’s always a risk going to court,” I said.
“Edris’s side will argue he only recently took possession of the flat, so the mold infestation wasn’t his fault. And in his defense, he sorted it out as soon as he became aware of it. But you could end up with absolutely nothing. ”
“Yeah, okay.
”
“Of course, you’ll say it’s not his fault, but he’s the landlord. The buck stops with him. You just need to hold your nerve. ”
Ty and Fiz turned up at the flat.
Ty admitted he’d snuck in for a skive, feet up, reading a magazine article about a woman who married a Ford Sierra. “Sounds like my kind of woman. ”
He had a treat lined up for me later. A table at the Bistro, nice bit of lunch, his treat.
And as for dessert, I’d just have to wait and see. “I’ll put me lucky pants on just in case. ”
He kissed me goodbye and headed off to work, leaving me with the baby. I felt guilty leaving her, but she’d be asleep most of the time.
“She won’t even know she’s gone, will you? Oh, cheers. Thanks. Yeah, I feel irrelevant enough as it is.
”
“Hey, you know when you go back full-time, I could have her for you. It’s much better she’s with family. ”
“Oh, yeah. Hey, it’s good having a trained nanny in the house, isn’t it?
”
“Still, though, I don’t want to go. ”
“Come on. Roy’s going to dock you ages. ”
“Oh, all right, I’m going.
I’m going. I don’t want to go, but I’m going. ”
I met Sienna for a coffee. She’d run off yesterday, and I was surprised to hear from her.
“I was a bit surprised to hear from you. ”
“Oh, just, you know, yesterday. I thought everything was going good, and then you kind of run off. ”
“Well, I’m sorry.
I forgot I was supposed to be taking me auntie to bingo. ”
“Bingo? ”
“Yeah, she don’t get out much. Means a lot to her.
Anyway, we’ve got all the time in the world today, so great. ”
“Hiya. Sorry for giving stalker vibes. ”
“Come on.
They’re just being nosey. ”
The conversation drifted. She got tired, and we agreed to leave it there and do some more tomorrow. “No, you’re frustrated.
I don’t blame you. The road to recovery will be a rocky one. Although, to my mind, I’m quite sure that you’ll get there in the end. ”
Later, Ty was out with Steve, talking about his son.
“He’s probably about 6 ft now. You got his head back on straight? ”
“Oh, he’s doing really well, Steve. Thanks for asking.
”
“Well, it’s always lots of grown-ups that are the problem. Aren’t you mean? ”
Roy was telling me that hawks can watch a rabbit from 2 miles away. “So, basically, I’m the hawk, Sam’s the rabbit.
”
“Scary. ”
“I know, right? Just don’t tell him that I use that analogy. He’ll want a mile.
”
Steve told me how proud he was of me. “Because I know you’re still struggling a bit with Ross, and it’s not easy when you’ve got history, but you’ve swallowed your pride for Ty’s sake, took my advice. I just think it’s good that you’re leaving Ross well alone. You don’t go around poking Rottweilers with a big pointy stick, do you?
”
“I’m tough enough to take care of myself. ”
“Well, just you in the firing line though, eh? I mean, he’s Ty’s dad. He’s granddad to his kids.
They care about him. ”
“That’s cuz they don’t really know him yet. I do. ”
At the Bistro, Adam told me he hoped I’d settle.
“Don’t fancy seeing me face plastered all over the Gazette. Grasping landlord damages child’s health. It’s not a good look. ”
“Well, it’s not just about how it looks, is it?
You were genuinely upset when you heard about Alfie. ”
Then Edris approached me. “Hi Abi, can I get you anything? Something to drink?
”
“Adam’s advised me not to settle. Reckons we’ll get much more in court. ”
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that, but you’ve got to do whatever you think’s right for you and Alfie. ”
“Well, maybe if you raised your offer to something a bit more substantial.
”
“I’m sorry, but no. I think 5 grand’s pretty generous. Without being brutal, it’s take it or leave it. ”
“All right, well, in that case, I’ll take it.
To tell you the truth, I’ll eat my attorney’s fees and then we realize that taking you to court could be more trouble than it’s worth. I’ll get the money to you by the end of the day. ”
“Right, well, I’ll let Adam know and then you can finalize the paperwork and whatnot. ”
I settled.
I took the five grand. Later, I was walking with a friend, complaining about the amount of dog fouling. “I mean, think of the risks. E.
coli, and such and such. ”
“Well, wear your specs and keep your eyes on the ground. ”
“Don’t want to be looking at the ground the whole time. We want to be looking at the trees, the flowers, the wildlife.
”
Ty was heading off to work, looking the professional. “You go and show those cons who’s boss. ”
“Yeah, good luck. Hope it all goes well.
”
“Cheers, thanks. ”
“Right, well, we’re getting off, so see you. Watch that dog poo. ”
Back at the flat, I was looking a bit peaky.
My friend suggested I take it easy, catch up on a box set, have some of that smoothie Amy made to give myself a boost. “Okay. All right, you just sit there and rest. I’ll get it for you.
”
I drank the smoothie. It was green, full of spinach. Then Asher came home. “Asher, are you home?
Huh! I am so sorry. Nina, Nina. Look, Nina, I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry. ”
“No, you’ve got nothing to apologize for. I’ve learned my lesson. I will definitely not next time.
”
“We’re going to get a takeaway in a bit if you fancy joining us. ”
“No, no, I’ve got to do. But you’d be very welcome to join us. ”
“No, no, it’s fine.
I’m not here. Sorry. ”
Later, I was with the baby, who was about to fall asleep. The doctor had just told me some good news.
The baby was going to be discharged tomorrow. “Is it too soon? ”
“No, I don’t think it’s too soon, darling. I think it might feel a little bit daunting for you.
I get that, but I promise we’re going to take things really nice and slow. And they’re not just going to abandon you here, you know. You’re going to have loads and loads of physio. Oh, is going to be fine?
I’ve got to see it. ”
“Oh. No. No, darling.
Okay, yes, you were the talk of the town, but not anymore. Everybody’s moved on. Oh, sweetie, I promise you. It’s going to be absolutely fine.
You trust me. ”
“Oh, sweetie. I’m so bored. ”
“All right, well we could stick a film on later if you like.
I used to love watching all the old black and white films with me nan. Brief Encounter, have you ever seen that? ”
“Yeah, is that the one where everyone talks really fast and really posh? ”
“Yeah, that’s the one.
Ah, but you know what me favorite one was? Billy Liar. Oh, they’re all northern in that so they talk proper. ”
I asked her to go to the shops and get some sweets.
She headed out. “Where are you off to? ”
“Just to the shop. ”
“Oh, you’re not buying more sweets, are you?
”
“No, no. I asked her to go and get some more milk, but okay. ”
“Where’s my cutie pie? ”
“Ah, I mean, I’d leave a baby with you.
I’ve only just managed to get her down to sleep. ”
“Oh, but I really missed her. I just want to give her a big squeeze. ”
“You shouldn’t.
She’s going to get grouchy. ”
“Listen, I’m a mom. I know what’s best for her and right now it’s a big cuddle from me. ”
“Yes, sweetie.
”
The baby started crying. “Oh, I’m so sorry I woke you. I’ll get her back to you. There we go.
”
Adam told me Abby was accepting Edris’s offer. “She’s just going to roll over. I’m sure it’s for the best. ”
“I can’t believe you sided with him against me.
”
“Abby asked for my opinion, so I gave it. Look, this whole situation has put me in an impossible position. I’m just glad it’s all over and done with. ”
“It is.
Perfect. No hard feelings, Adam. It’s just business. ”
“Uh, can I have a bottle of bubbly, please, Toyah?
”
“Oh, you’re celebrating? ”
“Yes, we are as it goes. Uh, we got a bit of a win. ”
“You don’t even drink.
”
“No, but I do. Right, I’ll sit down. So do you. Why don’t you join us?
”
“No, you’re good, thanks. ”
“We believe in Charlotte. We’ve only just got here. ”
“Ah, Charlotte is a riot from what I’ve heard.
You’ll be used to that by now. ”
“I’ll be telling me how to make the right decisions, so thanks for that. ”
“Don’t blame yourself, Adam. You know what they say, blood is thicker than water.
”
Back home, I was having a nana nap in front of the telly. Someone woke me. “Mom? Sleeping beauty.
Mom? Yeah. How much have you had to drink? ”
“Oh, not a lot.
”
“Mom. ”
“Oh. Feel really Mom? Mom!
What’s going on? ”
“I don’t know. She won’t wake up. She just collapsed right in front of me.
”
“COME ON. GET UP. GET UP. Phone an ambulance, will you?
”
“Okay. Ambulance. ”
I was laughing, eating crackers. “Take this phone cracker away from me.
I can’t stop eating them. ”
“Yeah, well, play your cards right and you can have them for breakfast. ”
“Sorry. Um, I best get off.
”
“Are you running out on me again? ”
“Just somewhere I’ve got to be. It’s been lovely though spending time with you. ”
“Yeah, same.
You around tomorrow? ”
“Uh yeah. Yeah, I think so. ”
“All right.
Bye. I’ll see you then. ”
“Yeah. Hey.
I’m sorry. Bye. See you. ”
“Oh.
Is she already gone? No need to ask how you two are getting along then. ”
“No, I just everything was going well. No, well, I thought it was.
And then woof. Another quick exit. ”
“Yeah, it’s a bit of a red flag. Everything’s fine and then she’s out like a bat out of hell.
Maybe she’s married or something. ”
“You know she’s not married. ”
“Ooh, she might have a deranged wife locked up in the attic. Hey, you never know.
”
Then I noticed something. “You’ve not moved that money, have you? ”
“What money? ”
“My tips in a little brown envelope.
I put it down here. ”
“Are you sure? ”
“Yeah, positive. No one else has been in the flat, have they?
Just me and Sienna. I definitely put it down here. And you’ve not moved it? ”
“I’ve not moved it.
”
“That only leaves her. ”
“Well, that was great. What a lovely day. We’ve done absolutely nothing.
You know what? We should have been born rich. Swan around whenever the mood takes. ”
“Oh yeah.
I’d have one of them chaise longues, get temp as done next to me and waft me with 50 pound notes. ”
“What’s happened? ”
“Don’t know. Has she fainted or had a fall or something?
”
“She collapsed right in front of me. When? About 20 minutes ago. She won’t wake up.
”
“I’ll go with her. Hey, try not to worry. She’s in good hands.
”
