The toast was perfect, buttered and all. Maggie had clearly taken her time with it. “Well done,” I said, trying to keep the peace. “Feel free to make yourself a full English.
Irish. You can’t tell me, son. I was there first time round. ” Dad was at it again, acting like an expert on Oasis.
“If I remember correctly, you liked the other one. Blur. ” Mom shot back, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Thanks for that, Mom.
” “Never you mind, son. ” I tried to slip out, but Mom insisted on driving me. “Hold your horses. Now you can get yourself gone.
” I kissed her cheek and left, but I knew she was worried. “Did he mention where we got to last night after I went off on one? ” she asked Dad. “Said he was at a mate’s.
” “Do we believe him? ” “We’ve no choice. Either we trust that he’ll steer clear of Megan or we keep him under lock and key. ”
Avril was in a panic.
“Debs? What’s going on? I can’t find me handbag. It’s got everything in that.
All the pictures of me and me Ronnie, important dates, all the stuff I must never forget. ” “You mean your journal? ” “Someone must have pinched it. ” I tried to calm her down.
“Hang on a minute. That officer was in here earlier. That one with the face that could curdle milk. I bet she swiped it.
” “Nah, look. She’s all right. ” But Avril was convinced. “Do you know what I’m going to do?
I’m going to have a chat with her. ” I warned her, “You’ve got no proof. And anyway, you’ve got an appeal to think about, remember? ” But she wouldn’t listen.
“I’m not having her coming in here willy-nilly and helping herself to my belongings. ”
At the café, the tension was thick. “Would you look at this? It’s Monsters Inc.
I’m sorry. Well, that’s what you do, isn’t it? Help monsters like Megan. ” I tried to defend myself.
“We do our job. ” “Well, that’s all right. So, long as you’re doing your job. ” Maggie asked for a favor, but I wasn’t in the mood.
“This isn’t the place. ” “Parasites, both of them. Two fleas looking for a mangy dog. ” “That’s harsh.
” I ordered a cream finger, trying to ignore the stares. “Really enjoying being public enemy number one. ” “It’ll blow over. ” But then the insults came.
“Get. ” “No, come on. Let’s go. ” I wasn’t leaving.
“I’m not on your nelly. ” The café owner tried to kick us out, but I stood my ground. “You don’t have the authority to chuck us out of here as well, I’m afraid. ” “No, she doesn’t.
The only people I want gone are them. ” The woman with the baby sneered. “You’re in court tomorrow, aren’t you? I hope you’ll wipe the floor with them.
” “Oh, we will. Don’t you worry about that. ” But then she added, “You can’t even keep a lid on confidential information, can you? Let alone convince a judge that my little Georgie’s a burden.
” “We won’t have to convince the judge of anything. ” “What’s that supposed to mean? ” “You’ll see. ” I knew I’d said too much.
“Why did you say that for? Are we not popular enough as it is? ”
Later, Evie came by. “Bernadine Simone Winter Alahan.
Evandra. To what do I owe this pleasure? ” She asked if I’d step out with her that evening. “Like on a date?
” “A date. Yes. With dinner, drinks, and good company. ” I was surprised but pleased.
“I’d love that. But what’s brought this on? ” “Evie, listen. I needed to get back to normal again.
To enjoying life again after Mel. ” “Well, it sounds good to me. ” We agreed on 6:30 for 7:00. “We will eat, drink, make merry, and then we will return home, and then we will…
” I stopped him. “I’m going to stop you right there. ” “Of course you are. ” He laughed.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t think it’s a good idea you staying too long. ” “Right. You do get it, don’t you?
Once all of this has died down, we can be together. All of us. Me, you, and the wee one. ” “The what?
” “It’s just what my nan calls kids. ” I laughed. “Let’s stick with baby, yeah? ” He asked if I was struggling.
“No. I’m good. I swear. Knowing you’re here, waiting for me, it means that I can do anything.
You know I love you. Both of you. ” He showed me a top he’d bought. “That’s the perfect date top.
Thank you. 25 quid. ” “What is it with people telling you the price of the clothes? ” I teased.
I was worried about Todd. “He’s gone to ground. Have you been round to his? ” “Yeah, of course I have, but he’s not answering.
” I tried to focus on my date. “You excited? ” “Yeah, I am actually. Although it’ll probably be a total disaster.
” “Well, not necessarily. And the fact you’re even going on a date in the first place is brilliant. Yeah, just enjoy it. ” “I intend to.
” I went to get ready. Tricia came by. “I texted her yesterday cuz I wanted to talk to her about what went on between us. I finally realized it’s not right, and that’s what I wanted to talk to her about.
” “Yeah, she knows it’s not right. ” “How do you know? ” “Cuz all her socials have gone. ” “Huh?
So, I was stalking her, right? Well, I’m not stalking exactly. I’m just dipping in from time to time. See what she’s doing.
Or is she doing? ” I laughed. “I needed that half an hour ago. ”
At the café, Tim was trying to cheer me up.
“I need to be in work in 5 minutes. Sorry, Sal. My hair’s all over the place. It’s been a tough few days.
” “Yeah, of course it has. I’ll make sure you don’t go to work, love. ” “Oh, thank you, Tim. Because that will be my number one priority while I’m stitching all day on an empty stomach.
” “Well, why don’t I bring you over a butter? ” “All right then. Well, get me a smoked salmon and cream cheese. You’ll have to go to Fresh Goes and get me them posh crisps that I like.
” He asked how it was going. “All right, apart from my youngest being grave, do you mean? ” “No, don’t be getting yourself worked up about that. Not with your heart.
” “Oh, hey. Listen, she’s right. Tim knows, don’t you? You got to look after the old ticker.
” “Oh, you’ve had heart problems? ” “One or two. ” He offered me a cream finger. “To cheer you up.
I knew you were going on about my heart. You haven’t had me echocardiogram yet. That stuff could be lethal. ” I left, promising to be back.
I got a call from the school. “He definitely left for school this morning. Okay, yeah. I’ll let you know when he turns up.
” I was furious. Then I saw Michaela. “Oi. Face ache.
You’re on the wrong side of the bars, you, huh? ” “Excuse me. Is there a problem? ” “Problem?
Yes, there is a problem, AND IT’S YOU PINCHING MY STUFF. YOU needs locking up. ” “Don’t you think she’s confused? ” “I’m not confused about this.
I want MY JOURNAL BACK. ” “I know what you want. Go back to your cell and cool off. ” “Oh, yeah.
Yeah, you blooming well love that, you, wouldn’t you? What you got up in that? ” “Me? No.
Knock it off, Michaela. ” “Why don’t you take a picture? It’ll last longer. Look at you, Edie.
YOU’RE LAUGHING AT ME. ” The guards pulled her away. “I THINK IT’S TIME ME AND YOU HAD A LITTLE CHAT. ”
Later, I confronted Maggie.
“What do you want? ” “You and Jill for the rest of your life, but until then, you stay away from Will, or so help me God. ” “I haven’t been near him. ” “Liar.
” “I swear. ” “Liar. You’re deranged, Maggie. ” “And you are disgusting.
I know for a fact Will was here. ” “Oh, yeah? And how’s that? You’ve been tracking him with some app?
” “I don’t even know what that means. ” “Oh, come off it. Do you really think I was going to let you carry on grooming my grandson? ” “That is not what this is.
” “Oh, is it love? Do I need to buy a hat? Right. Here’s what’s going to happen.
You are going to move away from the area, and you are going to stay away from Will. Understood? And do not think of even crossing me, because I will do anything, and I mean anything, to protect my boys from vile predators like you. ” “You’re not really as scary as you think you are, Maggie.
” “No. I’m worse. You have no idea. ” She added, “Just to mention, when you’re in jail, your baby will be coming to us, and I’m going to make sure to let it know what a vile little of a mother it’s got.
Bye, then. ” I snapped. “You poisoned COW! YOU GET YOUR FILTHY DEVIANT HANDS OFF OF ME!
LOOK AT WHAT YOU’VE DONE! ” “THIS? THIS is nothing. I haven’t even started.
”
I went to meet Ethan, but he wasn’t there. “Hi, Ethan. Oh, you remember me. That’s good of you.
How am I? Oh, yeah, brilliant. Love being stood up and made a fool of. ” “What?
You seriously going with that? That is pathetic. ” “No. Do you know what?
I’ve got a better idea. How about you… ” Then I saw him. “Where is he, then?
” “He’s at home, probably laughing at me. ” “What, he’s a no-show? ” “Yeah, and you accused me of canceling. ” “Oh, he must be mad, standing you up.
You’re gorgeous. Why are you here, anyway? ” “Actually, Shona sent me. You know how nosy she can be.
” “Right. Well, at least you’ve got something to report back. You going home? ” “Yes, I’m going to go home.
I’m going to put on my comfies and watch Friends. ” “Or, well, we could stay here and have a drink. ” “Okay, go on, then. ”
I went to apologize to the officer.
“Hello, Miss Cardwell. Is that it? I thought it was Basic, weren’t you? ” “Oh, right, yeah.
Well, I’m really sorry about that. I can’t find my journal, you see. And you know, with my dementia, I get confused. And as you can probably tell, it’s given me a bit of a temper.
” “Lucky for you, Michaela’s kicked off when she did, then, isn’t it? Otherwise, it would have been you in solitary confinement instead of her. ” “What, she’s all on her own? In solitary duress?
” “No. No, she only did what she did because she wanted to stop me from doing something I’d regret. ” “Well, it looks like you are one, then, doesn’t it? ” “Thank you.
”
I tried to call Todd. “Have you tried phoning him? ” “Oh, why didn’t I think of that? Hey, he’s trying to bite me out of it.
Oh, sorry, love. I’m all over the place here. ” Tim came back. “Productive day?
” “Not really. Had a few good chats, haven’t we, mate? ” “We have that. Mhm, put the world to rights.
” “Aw, that’s good. Glad you’ve had a nice time. Makes up for you totally forgetting my flaming sandwich. ” “Well, I’ll go and get you…
” “Whatever you’re going to say, Tim, just forget it. ” “Well, I can make you one now, if you want. ” “Bit late in the tea time. Whose side are you on?
You know, if it wasn’t for Fez giving me half of her corned beef bap, I would have been scuppered. ” “I’ll get you a drink to make up for it. ” “No, you can get your backside home. You’ve got a lot of making up to do.
”
I found Will at home. “The rover returns. ” “Oh, even for a dad joke, that was bad. ” “It’s not a joke.
You’ve not been at school. You’ve not been answering your phone. ” “Well, it’s been on silent. I’ve had Brandon’s blowing up my phone asking if it’s true about me Megan.
You know, how do you expect me to go in with that? ” “Well, listen, you’re going to have to face it sooner or later, love. ” “Yeah, and the best way to do that is with your head held high. They’ll soon get bored.
” “You think? ” “I know they will. Look, why don’t I drive you in tomorrow? Give you a bit of moral support.
There you go. You can listen to some of your dad’s boy zone. ” “Woah. Okay.
All right, I’m going, then. ” “Are we done? ” “For now, yeah. ” “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.
” “It’s fine. Men are pigs. Especially yours. ” I laughed.
“Right, what do you mean by that? ” “Well, he’s a proper, isn’t he? ” “Don’t go calling pigs. Not around here, they don’t.
”
I asked about Todd. “So, have you heard from Todd? ” “No. No, neither has George.
” “What’s this? ” “Oh, Todd. Oh, do you know what? Maybe you could help.
” “Me, why? ” “Well, we’re pretty sure that Todd’s in an abusive relationship with Theo, and he just can’t see it, or he won’t see it. ” “And what makes you think I can help? ” “Well, you’ve been through it.
You’re a survivor. Maybe you could give some advice. ” “Oh, yeah. Right.
So, this Theo, he’s really done a number on him, has he? ” “Yeah, he really has, and I just never thought that Todd would ever be in this situation. ” “Todd won’t leave till he’s ready. All you can do is wait for him to see the light, and be there to support him when he does.
If he does. ” “Oh, we will. Eventually, he’s just got to come to that decision by himself. ” “I did.
” “Right, then. You having a drink? Do you fancy another? ” “Okay.
Thank you. ”
I had a bad feeling about Jodie. “Something’s not right about her. ” “Why?
What? ” “Oh, I don’t know. Just something’s off. I’ve had my suspicions ever since she found Shona’s ring.
I just can’t put my finger on it. But I will. ”
Damien confronted me. “What are you doing?
Is this what you’ve been telling me? You’re using him to testify tomorrow? ” “Come on, let’s get you to trial. ” “Damien, wait.
” “What? I thought the world of your mum. I think the world of everyone that comes through me door. ” “Then how do you account for her dying in your funeral parlor?
I mean, God knows what it is you’re doing there, but whatever it is, if I can help put a stop to it, then that’s what I’m going to do. ” “But I promise you, I had nothing to do with your mum’s passing. ” “George, come on, this is not appropriate. Now, come on, just leave.
” “Just tell me what I have to do to stop you from going to court tomorrow, because I promise you, whatever it is, I’ll do it. ” “This is beginning to sound like bribery. ” “Come on. All right, just let them go.
” “Oh, love. You can’t go meddling with witnesses like that. Come on. ”
That evening, I met Evie for our date.
“So, may I say just how ravishing you look this fine evening? ” “Yes, yes, you may. ” “Terrible coffee you’ve got, love. ” “You don’t scrub up too badly yourself.
Thank you. And may I just say thank you so much for this. You know, it’s really thoughtful of you. ” “You best get used to it, because from now on, your pleasure is my number one priority.
” “Ooh. I’m going to remind you of that later. Thank you. We in?
” “I’m in. ” We laughed. Then I found something in my coat pocket. “Oh, love.
Oh, I’m so sorry. You were right about that truck, yeah. Found that in my coat pocket. ” “Come on, then.
”
Megan was in tears. “So, what did Amanda do? She attacked me. She physically attacked me and I started getting these pains, so it’s hospital and…
Well, we’ve lost our baby. ” She sobbed. “We’ve lost our baby.
“
