The phone buzzed with another notification. I looked down and saw the review I’d posted about the Rovers Return had already clocked up over a thousand views. “It’s got subtitles,” I muttered, and Ollie leaned over to see. “Oh, love, turn it off, will you?
”
“I had no idea this guy was so popular,” I said. “I had no idea he was having such a rubbish time. He didn’t look like it. He was taking selfies with my beer and everything.
”
“Well, have you poked the bear? ” he asked. “Oh, love, it’s not worth it. ”
“Exactly.
Maybe if you hadn’t kicked off in front of this fella. You were the one playing with alcohol. ”
“That’s a lie. It’s not what he said.
”
The words hung in the air, and I felt the familiar heat rise up my neck. Ever since Ollie started working for Idris, he’d become a different person. “Honestly, I don’t even recognize you anymore. You used to be your own man, and look at you now—a carbon copy of some two-bit business wannabe, ready to stick up for him at every point.
”
“This wasn’t about Idris. It was about me standing up for myself, while you were purposely sabotaging me. ”
“Yeah, well, you didn’t get it right either, so try harder next time. ”
“Benjamin!
You’re unbelievable. When are you going to accept I’m a fully grown adult capable of making my own life choices, including who I work for? ”
Mum stepped in. “All right, you two, calm the farm.
What’s that noise? ”
Will was taking Zuzie out, and Mum was heading forthe papers. The morning was already off the rails, and it wasn’t even nine o’clock yet. Later, at the café, the tension followed me like a shadow.
Mary was fussing over Christina, trying to tempt her with pancakes smothered in chocolate sauce orbuttery syrup. Christina wasn’t having any of it. “I’m no carbs before mobs. ”
“Sorry, lovey.
Toad, would you like rainbow sprinkles or sugar pearls? ”
“I’m five. Age is not a prerequisite for pancakes. ”
Mary sighed, and I could see her patience thinning.
“Do you know what, lovey? I tried to give you a little bit of tough love yesterday, but it’s like talking to a brick wall. And I’m just about sick of it. ”
Christina shot back.
“Well, I am sick of you, Todd. ”
“Does it give you a lot of lovely pleasure having a constant dig at me? ”
“A little bit, yeah. ”
“Well, then I feel even more sorry for you.
”
“I don’t want your sorry. ” She was relentless. “And I’ll tell you another thing I don’t want—you discussing me with your old crone mates. ”
Mary stepped in, her voice tight.
“I beg your pardon. ”
“It’s bad enough having you near without Bernie as well. ”
“Back off. Desist.
Desist. Desist. This atmosphere is unbearable. And, as a matter of fact, triggering.
”
“What? ”
“I’m not exaggerating, Todd. You know that’s not in my nature. But you and Christina being at each other’s necks like this—well, it’s very reminiscent of arguments mother used to have with her short-lived Canadian lover, Laurent Livert Père.
”
Christina and I stared at her. “I’m sorry, love. I’m not sure…”
Mary was off. “They met at a disco called the Grizzly House,whose tagline was ‘For lovers and hedonists.
’ Well, neither the loving nor the hedonism lasted. But put it another way—the Canadian penchant for fondue was weaponized. ”
I glanced at Christina. “I’ve got no idea what she’s talking about.
”
“At least we can agree on that. ”
Mary snapped back to us. “I’m talking about the fact that you two behaving this way is making me do what I did all those years ago—crisis consume. Now, pass me the chocolate sauce and mother’s buttery creamy syrup.
Now! ”
Then things got worse. Mum came in, trailed by a woman I didn’t recognize. Lucy was with her, looking like she’d rather be anywhere else.
“This is Beatrice,” Mum said. “Yeah, the counselor. From Weatherfield CAMS. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
”
Lucy’s face shut down. “I told you I don’t want to speak to anyone about anything. ”
“Actually, we’re really lucky to have Beatrice come to us,” Roy said gently. “She’s ever so busy.
”
“I said no. ”
“We’re just trying to help you, love. I know it’s hard. I don’t like talking about things, but when I do, I feel a million times better.
”
Lucy just stared at the floor. The battle was already lost—for now. Later, I caught up with Eva. “The way you spoke to Ollie this morning, babe, not cool,” she said.
“I’m just trying to make him see sense, love. ”
“There’s a way of doing it. I just feel like you need to show him some respect. ”
“I love him.
I know you do. But that old competitive rugby girl comes on a bit too strong. ”
“You like me, old rugby girl. ”
“I love you, old rugby girl, but mind your own business.
”
“Yeah, well, competitiveness aside—I’m doing this to protect my son. He’s in the jaws of a shark. ”
She shook her head. “There is one way you could show Ollie some respect.
”
“Mhm? ”
“Love him. She’s such a nice girl. She’s got such a big heart.
”
I ordered two bacon baps, two coffees, and a hash brown. “Right. Two bacon baps, two coffees, yeah? ”
“Mhm.
And a hash brown. Please. ”
I tried my best for Rod, too—even went to see Bernie, though I knew it was a long shot. When I came back, I told him straight.
“Look, I hope you don’t mind, but I tried talking to Bernie for you. And let’s just say you probably won’t be welcome in the Ranch anytime soon. ”
“I guess there’s only one thing left to do. Pray.
”
“Didn’t think you were religious. ”
“To the majesty herself, Dolly Parton. ”
“Well, you tried your best. I wouldn’t sweat it.
Enjoy yourself. ”
“Family’s good for one thing in my book—and that’s doing your head in. ”
“Better to be the one causing the damage than the one receivingend, I reckon. ”
“Maybe it’s time we both resurrected our dirtbag eras.
”
“I already have. What are you waiting for? What are you doing this weekend? ”
But under all the jokes, something darker was stirring.
Lucy wasn’t just moody—she was drowning. Sally and Tim had taken her in after everything that happened with her real parents, and they were trying so hard. But Lucy was pushing them away with both hands. “Is everything okay?
” Tim asked her gently. “Yeah. I love my dad. My dad is the best dad there ever is.
”
“Has something happened with Sally and Tim specifically? Is it both or one in particular that you’re struggling with? ”
“Tim was okay at first. ” A pause.
“What changed? Now I hate him. I hate them both. ”
Sally’s face crumpled, but she kept her voice steady.
“We just want to help her. ”
“Yeah,” Tim said, despondent. “But it’s the opposite though, isn’t it? We’re the bad guys.
”
Later, at the café, the whole thing erupted. Mary had made popcorn for pudding, and I was plating up sausage and mash with braised apple. Lucy came in,and the mood shifted instantly. “So, what are we having?
Sausage and mash? ”
“No, we’re having sausage with braised apple. ”
“Who is that, Nigella? ”
“No.
It’s a salad. ”
Then it happened. Something flew across the room— Lucy had thrown her food, and it splattered everywhere. She was screaming now.
“She jumped it all over me! Oh, no, another! Oh, it’s all stuck in my hair! ”
“It was an accident,” she spat.
“Liar. You’re the liar. You’re all liars. ”
“Lucy, calm down.
”
“You’re a liar about the popcorn, and you’re a liar about bringing that counselor here! ”
Sally tried to reach her. “You know something, Lucy—you could do a lot worse than Selina and Tim. Oh, like your actual parents.
”
That was the wrong thing to say. Lucy’s face twisted. “Well, let me tell you something. My dad isn’t a lowlife like yours.
”
The words landed like a slap. Everyone froze. “Lucy,” Sally breathed. “Shut your face.
Or what? I’m surrounded by liars. The only person that isn’tis my dad. I want my dad.
I want my dad! ”
Sally’s voice cracked. “Well, that’s just not possible, Lucy. ”
“Dad, just make it possible.
”
Lucy: “Oh. You’re never. ”
I was still reeling from the morning when I walked into the pub away later. I spotted Glenda at the bar, nursing a glass of wine.
She looked tired. I slid onto the stool next to her. “Hey, babe. Can we not?
Please. I mean, no offense, but I thought you’d be way past that by now. ”
She gave a hollow laugh. “I see.
Good on Maggie—and let there be lots more of it. ”
“That sounds like you’re going to get a new dad, if you ask me. ”
“Yes, well. I wasn’t.
”
Glenda sighed. “Have you heard anything from George? It’s just a picture of him at Cheddar Gorge, you know—the old stalagmite and stalactite. ”
“How lovely.
”
“Well, I’ve had nothing, and I’ve sent him about thirty texts. ”
“Maybe he’s not got good reception down in them caves. ”
“Look, he’s got a phone in Somerset, not Siberia—and he sent you a picture. Oh, Glenda.
It’s the long goodbye, isn’t it? ”
“Well, I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. ”
“I never meant to hurt him. I didn’t mean to hurt him.
”
“You don’t fall off the spending wagon on purpose. ”
“I know. Why do you think I’m not ringing your neck? ”
I squeezed her hand.
“I know, and I am very grateful to you for not trying to kill me. Grace. Another drink? Soft perhaps?
”
“A large white wine, please. ”
“Are you sure? ”
“Yeah. No.
Um—make it a bottle. ”
The door banged open, and Brian stormed in. “Brian! Brian!
What are you doing here at such an early hour? ”
But he wasn’t alone. Kate was behind him, and she was holding a bunch of flowers—pulverized, crushed, ruined. “Those were my most expensive ranunculi,” Brian said, his voice shaking.
“Bordered by a selection of hypericum sweet romance. You’d have been a very lucky lady to receive those from such a wonderful man as Brian. ”
Kate looked pale. “Yeah, have you seen this?
It’s just a nosebleed. I get them in hot weather. ”
“You shouldn’t have to be dealing with that. Must have got mixed in by mistake.
Stress can cause nosebleeds, you know. ”
“Yeah, well. And there’s plenty of that with my mom. You don’t have to worry about me.
I meant Harry. ”
“Right. But if you need someone to talk to…”
“I don’t. I mustn’t cry because it’s over.
I should smile because it happened. ”
“Well, whatever you do, don’t cry over the magazines. ”
But Brian wouldn’t be consoled. The woman he’d been courting— Maggie— had brushed him off after one underwhelming night, and now he was standing in the middle of the pub, holding crushed flowers, humiliated.
And then the door opened again. Maggie walked in. Brian straightened. “Good afternoon.
”
“Good afternoon. ”
“No, Brian. Do not utter another word. This woman is unworthy.
”
Brian’s mother—no,a dear friend, as she insisted—stepped forward. “Who are you? ”
“His mother. ”
“No.
A dear friend. If you must know, I’ve come to apologize. ”
“Apologies not accepted. And just so you are aware, neither of us will be frequenting your lousy excuse for a pub ever again.
”
“There’s no need to be personal. ”
“Oh, this is personal, lady. Brian, have you got a tongue in that mouth of yours? ”
“He’s too upset to speak.
”
“Is that so? We can hardly utter our words. ”
“Well, that’s because you are speaking over him constantly. ”
Maggie softened, just slightly.
“Allow me to say I’m sorry for my words. The truth is—the truth is last night was rather…”
Later, out on the street, I saw a kid—Jack—drop a crisp packet on the pavement. A woman—Nancy—told him off, but he shrugged her off. “You a police officer?
”
“No. ”
“Then can I be on my way then, Mother? Thought your generation were about saving the planet. ”
“Oh, shush, Nancy.
I’m Generation Alpha. ”
I couldn’t help but watch. There was something about that kid—the way he talked back, the way he didn’t care. It reminded me of someone.
Then I heard a familiar voice. Lucy was there, talking to him. They knew each other. They were whispering.
He said something about a counselor. “I got forced to speak to some stupid counselor today. ”
“What did you say to them? ” he asked.
“That I hate talking to them. Nothing else? ”
“No. Promise?
”
“Yeah. I did probably tell them that. ”
He nodded, serious now. “All right, now that’s your best option.
Just make sure you stick exactly to the story—and everything will be all right, okay? ”
“Okay. Love you. Love you.
I’ll call you when I can. ”
I stepped forward. “Lucy, can I have a word? ”
“I’ve got to go.
”
“For God’s sake. Say you’re sorry. ”
“Come on, let’s get you home. ”
She pulled away from me.
“Shut up. I’m all right. ”
The street was filling up now. I saw Anna, and something in me softened.
I walked over. “You’re like my little sister. Anna, you’re like the sister I never had. And you know what I meant to say?
”
She smiled. “Me, too. I—me, too. Me, too.
With feeling. ”
“All right, me, too, with feeling. Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on! ”
Then I heard a shout. A group of kids was messing about, and one of them—the same kid, Jack—pulled out his phone.
He was filming something. Someone was on the ground. I froze. Lucy was on the ground.
He’d pushed her. “Hey, you, put that away. ”
“Too late. This is well going on TikTok.
”
“Well, that’s not very nice. If I see that on the social media, you’ll be getting that to the little leg. ”
“Yeah, cool it. ”
But then I saw him move toward her again.
And something in me snapped. I stepped between them. “Did he just hurt you? ”
“No.
Ow. ”
“Just lean on me, all right? Come on. ”
I turned to the crowd.
“All right, call the police. I’ll get the phone indoors. ”
But someone—a man—held up his hand. “I’m not going to do that.
”
“Why not? ”
“Because there’s nothing to call them for. He was just being a silly kid. ”
“You were on the floor.
I thought he attacked you. ”
“She fell over. ”
“Wait. Hey.
What are you doing? Don’t—what are you doing? ”
The man was walking toward me now, calm, deliberate. “There’s been a really big misunderstanding.
I’m so sorry. ”
He reached out, but I stepped back. “You stay away from my son. ”
His face flickered—confusion, then something colder.
“It’s all right, miss. He’ll be fine. ”
“Sorry. ”
But I didn’t believe him.
And as I watched him walk away, pulling Lucy with him—I knew one thing for certain. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
