I was in the café when Ronnie came over, all charm and cheek. He’d just bought two bouquets of flowers, and I couldn’t help but ask. “These aren’t both for me, are they? ” I joked.
He laughed. “No, they’re for my Georgie. Anything to put a little smile on his face. ”
I knew Georgie was going through a rough patch, but I didn’t know how bad until Ronnie told me.
“You know he’s having to sell Shuttleworths? ” he said. I shook my head, stunned. “The court fees are bleeding him dry.
”
“And that tosser got it as well, didn’t he? ” Ronnie added, his voice bitter. “What? ” I asked, confused.
“George messaged him to tell him he was selling up, but did he text back? Did he heck as like. ”
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. “So, he didn’t reply?
Nothing? ”
“Not a dicky bird. ”
I tried to change the subject, offered to make him a brew, but he was distracted. “What’s the matter with you?
” I finally asked. “What’s the matter with me? We’ve just been told that I’m getting worse,” he snapped. I knew.
I’d heard the consultant’s words earlier. “I know. I heard her. ”
“Will you forgive me for not wanting to have a brew?
” he said, his voice softening. “I don’t know why you’re acting so shocked. You’re the one that wanted me to have this MRI. What did you expect the consultant to say?
‘Oh, look at that, Deborah. It’s a miracle. You’re cured’? Because we both know that’s not going to happen, don’t we?
”
I didn’t have an answer. He was right. Later, I ran into Todd by the post box. He was just posting a letter, but I could tell something was off.
“You all right? ” I asked. “Yeah, I’m posting a letter,” he said, but his eyes were elsewhere. “Well, just admiring a post box, are you?
” I teased. “Well, it’s my favorite one. ”
I tried to lighten the mood. “And I thought David was the troubled sibling.
”
He forced a smile. “I saw Sam in ways. ”
“Right, yeah. At least he’s eating, I suppose.
He seem all right? ”
“No, I was going to message you, actually. He doesn’t really seem himself. There was an incident.
He thought he saw Will and Mark getting together. ”
“Together together? ”
“No, no, maybe he was mistaken. Why don’t you ask Ben and Eva?
We already tried that. They didn’t take too kindly to Sam’s accusation. Only said he was with Will all morning. ”
“I’m sure it’s probably just a boys’ misunderstanding.
Computer games and pizzas will sort it out. ”
“Yeah, we’ve already tried the whole shake hands thing. ”
“Well, let’s try again. ”
“Okay.
”
I was about to leave when he called my name. “Todd. Todd. Just wait, please.
I can’t do this. Please, just give me 2 minutes. ”
“You need to leave me alone. ”
“Is that what you really want, though?
I would message, and I want to message, but I’m scared that Theo’s going to read them all. ”
I didn’t know what to say. I just walked away. Back at the pub, I was trying to get some work done, but Jodie was useless as always.
“Are you going to do any work today? ” I snapped. “Or are you just going to stand there like a fanny pack short of a festival? ”
“You can’t call me the F-word,” she said.
“What? Festival. ”
She sighed. “I’m sorry, Bernie, about everything that happened with Mel, you know.
”
“Please, please do not mention that bloke’s name,” I said, my jaw tight. “Yeah, well, it’s just so unfair, isn’t it? How he just got away with everything he did. ”
“Look, Jodie, can you just clear a table, serve a customer, just do something?
”
“Yeah, I will. I’m just going to top up me lippy first. ”
I rolled my eyes and went to find Ronnie. He was at the bar, flirting with some woman.
“Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you? ” I said, dripping with sarcasm. “Blimey, when did this place turn into the Ritz?
”
“Oh, when I rocked up, obviously. ”
He laughed. “You all right? ”
“Yeah, sorry.
Where were we? ”
“You literally fell at my feet. Can I help you? ”
“No, but you can help your mother.
Ronnie, who was the one that took her to the hospital yesterday to get a burn seen to? She had a consultant’s appointment today. I don’t know, maybe you might want to check in on her, buy her some flowers. Huh?
Instead of flirting with your latest squeeze. ”
“And maybe you want to mind your own business and shut up,” he shot back. “Ooh. It is a surprise.
Would you have a bit of an earwig, eh? He’s not interested, everybody. Maybe because he’s not in need of any money to date. ”
“What do you know?
”
“I know that when the going gets tough, I’m the one that’s there for her. ”
“Come on then, big man. ”
I stepped between them. “All right, stop.
This is not worth it, mate. Take it from someone who knows. ”
“Right, that’s enough, fellas. I mean, Deb would love it if she saw this, wouldn’t she, eh?
”
Ronnie backed off, muttering, “And just when I thought things were going to get interesting. ”
Later, I found Todd again. “Oh, is it today then? More baseless lies?
” he said. “No, of course not. ”
“Well, what then? ”
“Kristina said that she messaged you about George and having to sell the undertakers and you didn’t reply.
”
“No, I didn’t. What was I supposed to say to that? ”
“Right. What?
So, it’s not because you’re scared of Theo seeing your messages? Theo seeing your reply? ”
“Absolutely not. ”
“Ah, it’s hard.
I just think you’re hiding. I think that’s what you’re doing. Why don’t we have a little sit and just have a brew? Yeah?
Just 2 minutes. That’s all I’m asking for. ”
He didn’t answer. He just walked away.
I went to see Nick to buy some lemonade for the pub. “Hi, Nick. I was wondering, can I buy some of your small bottles of lemonade? Deliveries late and the stuff from the corner shop’s a bit flat.
”
“Yeah, no problem. Here we go. ”
“Cheers. How much do I owe you?
”
“Nothing. Take it as an apology for Sam getting the wrong end of the stick about seeing Megan and Will yesterday. ”
“There’s no need for that. ”
“Well, that’s good of you.
You know, I was going to come over and apologize, clear the air. ”
“Well, consider it cleared. Not a cloud in the sky. ”
“Right, I better get back to the pub.
”
“Yeah, I thought maybe we could get the boys together, a bit of pizza, something like that. ”
“Yeah, sure. I mean, keeping them apart isn’t working, so maybe we can help them to build a friendship, yeah? ”
“Sounds like a grand idea.
”
I went back to the pub and found Sam. “Ah, there he is, the man himself. I was just talking to Brendan. We thought maybe we could get you and Will together, a bit of pizza, buy a new computer game.
What do you think? ”
“Yeah. Great. ”
“Okay, cheers.
”
I sat down with Todd, trying to have a normal conversation. “I’ve missed this,” I said. “What? ”
“Just having a brew and just chatting with me mate.
”
“Me, too. ”
“Biscuit wouldn’t have gone amiss, eh? ”
“Sorry, biscuit free zone. ”
“Oh, really?
How come? ”
“Do you know how much sugar’s in those things? ”
“No, cuz I’m kind of a eat a biscuit and then forget about it kind of girl. ”
“Well, I will tell you, 1.
22 g per biscuit. ”
“Cool. ”
“I’m sorry, am I boring you? ”
“No, it just doesn’t sound like you.
”
“Who does he sound like? ”
“Oh, just forget it. ”
“No, no, go on. ”
“Look, Todd.
I think you should leave. ”
“Please don’t shut me out. Please don’t shut George out either. ”
“Bye, Sarah.
”
I went home, and Todd was there, waiting. “What are you looking at? ” he said. “You’re checking for bruises.
”
“I love you so much. You know that. And if this was the other way around, you know you would do exactly the same thing for me. ”
“Do what?
Like what stories have you made up in your own head, Sarah? Get in the bedroom. ”
“No. ”
“Get in the bedroom now.
”
I didn’t move. I just stood there, staring at him. Later, I met Ronnie at the pub. “How are you anyway, all right?
How’s things with Debbie? ” he asked. “She had a consultant’s appointment this morning. Not good news.
”
“Sorry to hear that. ”
He went to grab a booth, but his phone kept buzzing. “Fella, what’s going on with your phone? Would you please phone me back?
” he muttered. “Sorry, mate. What can I get you? ”
“Two pints.
”
“Coming up. Everything all right? ”
“What’s up, bud? ”
“Well, you just seemed that something was pretty urgent on the phone, but…
”
“Just trying to get in touch with my flaky brother, that’s all. ”
“All right. He’s been in the back seat half the time, but you need your brother, you need your brother, you know what I mean? ”
“Well, tell me to mind me own, but you’ve got one that’s not one down from here.
”
“What was that you said about minding your own? ”
“Oh, yeah, noted. Yeah, sorry. But can I say one thing?
”
“Sounds like you’re going to anyway. ”
“I’ve never had a brother. Well, not by blood, anyway. But Steve McDonald is the closest I’ve ever come and the best I’ve ever had.
”
“Fair enough. But don’t tell him I said that, will you? ”
“My lips are sealed. ”
“Good.
I could tell you something else. ”
“Go on. ”
“I thought you were a bit of an idiot when I first met you. ”
“Well, I thought you were Kirk, so I guess that makes us even.
”
“But actually, you’re all right, you know. And I’m not the jealous type, but now that I’m seeing as you’re Steve’s family and he’s my best mate, perhaps we could be friends, too. ”
“Maybe we can. ”
“All the best.
”
“Ta. ”
I went to see Debbie. “This is a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” she said.
“How are the hands? ”
“Oh, still a bit cranky, but getting there. ”
“You didn’t tell me that you had a consultant’s appointment today. ”
“Who told you?
”
“Ronnie. Having a go at me in the cafe. ”
“Ronnie rents a mouth, eh? What did they say?
”
“Well, there’s a pickle of a sandwich. It’s getting worse. ”
“This is my fault, isn’t it? If you hadn’t been sent down…
”
“A box of Mary Berry’s with candy and nuts, we’d all have a merry Christmas. I’m sorry. For everything. For ripping you off again, hurting you.
I don’t want to hurt you. Love you. You’re my mum. I can’t stand what’s happening to you.
”
“Come on. ”
“And I know you’re the one dealing with it, living with it every day, but I’m selfishly scared. I’m scared I’m not going to have enough time with you. I’m scared I’m going to forget.
I’m going to lose the person that you are now. ”
“If you don’t remember this, I’ll sing and I’ll dance a wonderful sensation that is I, Deborah Webster. You just need to remember this one thing. I watched you take your first breath.
And I have loved you every moment since. ”
“It’s all right. ”
I went back to the pub, and Todd was there. “I could have swore it was here somewhere, you know,” he said, looking around.
“Yeah, I thought I saw it by the cabinet. ”
“All right. No, I didn’t eat from me, did you? ”
“No.
No, I never. You’re only joking. ”
“You all right? ”
“Yeah, grand.
What have you been doing? ”
“Hey. What have you been up to now? ”
“Nothing.
”
“What, just staring at the wall? ”
“No, staring at my phone, doing scrolling, having a brew. Yeah, but I was going to put some washing on straight after. ”
“I wouldn’t faze it.
They have a brew, it. One brew. Whose is this? ”
“Mine.
”
“Mine? You caught me. I needed a caffeine boost. ”
“Well, lie.
I’m not. ”
“Well, now you’re lying about lying. ”
“Well, why would you do that to me? ”
“Well, why would you try and hurt me, Todd?
I’m our guest. Our secret guest, are they still here? Come out, come out, wherever you are. ”
“Hello.
Hi. Can I borrow that for a minute? ”
“You what? What the hell do you think you’re doing?
”
“Right, clean the table while I’m on the phone, get set. ”
“You’re proper mad, you. ”
“All right, all right. All right, Mom.
I’ve been better. Well, I’ve just come to tell you that woman sold the Moo Moo with shoes, so now I can’t pick up the quads. ”
“Oh. Oh, that is brilliant news, Gemini.
Because I am taking an early dart, and I’m going to treat myself to a slushy on the way to bingo. Ta-ta. ”
“Bye. Bye-bye.
”
“She leaves just like that? ”
“She has done. ”
“All right, nice. So, that’s the thanks I get, then, for putting a revenge plan on her PR.
”
“What? ”
“Well, I’m on Miles’ website, and it looks like someone’s left the dirty weirdo a load of one-star reviews. ”
“You never. ”
“Trying to run his business into the ground.
I did a load last night, and a load more today. ‘Disappeared with my deposit and was never seen again. Pooped all over my Persian rug after electrocuting himself in the lounge. ‘ I think that was me favorite.
”
“Hey, you okay? ”
“Yeah. Yeah, everything’s fine. ”
“Are you okay?
I heard you had a bit of a to-do. ”
“Yeah, listen, Ronnie, I just want to apologize. Well, for everything. ”
“Me, too.
”
“Oh? I’m sorry, too. Fighting helps nobody, least of all Debbie. ”
“So.
”
“I wouldn’t say. ”
“Ah. Yeah, can we just forget all about it? That’s easy for me to say, isn’t it?
”
“I guess it is. ”
“See yourself down. These chip buttys are yummy. I’ll get chef to make you one.
Shall we just pretend to be a normal family today? ”
“Sounds good to me. ”
“In it? Watch it.
Did Debbie eye up with those Scotch eggs? ”
“Sorry. ”
“You all right, lovey? ”
“I need to go.
”
“I was only joking about the Scotch egg. ”
I went outside, and Sam was there. “So, one minute you were discussing grass, the next minute you getting your daddy to ask my dad if I’ll be your mate. ”
“What?
Don’t act like you didn’t hear me, you Harry Potter reject. Why would I want to spend another second in your company? You’re a loser. You’re worthless, and no one cares if you live or die.
”
“Oh, I was going to ask if you’re okay, but it looks a stupid question. ”
“Damn right, it is. ”
“Oh, look, I’m sorry. I’ve just had to sit through chip buttys with Carl playing happy families.
”
“I’d rather you than me. ”
“I can’t believe he’s weaseled his way back in with Debbie. She’s vulnerable, and Carl knows that. It’s only a matter of time before he takes advantage of her again.
”
“Well, in that case it’s about protecting Debbie before he gets a chance to. ”
“Well, it sounds like you got a plan there, Ronnie. ”
“Are you on board to help? I’m talking about getting rid of him for a very very long time.
”
“Oh, stupid question. Of course I am. Why? What are you thinking?
”
I went back to Todd’s. “How’s your brew, Sarah? ” he asked. “Lovely.
I bet there’s only so many brews Wongo can have in a day, yeah? ”
“Well, I can handle another one if you’re offering. ”
“To be honest, we’ve actually got quite a few things we need to get on with. ”
“Are you sure?
”
“Yeah. And listen, Sarah, just to say again, sorry, and same to you, Todd. Like, never ever feel like you have to hide your friendship from me. You know, you two, you’ve got so much history.
I’m sorry I’m talking out loud. What kind of monster would I be to think about even keeping you apart? I mean, the thought of it breaks my heart. ”
“We really appreciate that, don’t we?
”
“Totally. ”
“Right then. Well, you are welcome round anytime, Sarah. ”
“Thank you.
Well, maybe we could meet up tomorrow. ”
“Maybe. Yeah, sure. ”
“Bye then.
”
“Bye. Thanks ever so much, Sarah. Take care. ”
“Cheerio.
”
As soon as the door closed, Todd turned to me. “How could you betray me like that? ”
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t actually ask her round.
She pretty practically forced her way in. ”
“Really? ”
“Yeah, I promise you. ”
“What are you going to do to me?
”
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. For now.
“
