Chapter Seventeen

Sophie rang Jez first thing in the morning, giving in to an urge to speak to him. She could hear the smile in his voice when he realised it was her.

‘Hi, gorgeous!’

‘Just wanted to say good morning to you. I didn’t wake you, did I?’

‘No. I was lying there thinking about you, wishing you were here with me.’

‘I’m the same.’

‘How did it go with Andi last night?’

‘She guessed – about us, what we’d been doing.’

‘And you were embarrassed.’

‘Well – yes.’

He chuckled. ‘It’s nothing to be ashamed of.’

‘She’s not used to the idea of us being in love. Her father was so special to her, she can’t understand how I could ever look at someone else.’

‘He must have been a great guy.’

‘He was.’

‘I suppose you’ll be writing all day, no chance of having lunch with me?’

‘No, sorry. I have to take Andi to pick up some of her things from the house she’s been living in.’

‘Is she moving back there or staying with you permanently?’

‘Staying with me for the time being, but I’ll keep paying her rent – in case.’

‘You won’t let her being there come between us?’

‘No more than necessary. At the moment, she has nightmares every night, wakes screaming. I can’t leave her to face that alone, just as you have to help Tom.’

‘I understand that, even if I don’t like it.’

‘She’s promised to see the counsellor Donna found for us. I’m going to ring and make an appointment today.’

‘Let Donna do that. I’m sure she’ll get an earlier appointment than you could.’

‘I can’t impose.’

‘She’ll be pleased to help. She hates the thought of what happened, just as we all do.’

When Sophie went downstairs, she found Andi sitting in the kitchen holding a mug of tea, looking exhausted. ‘Have you been up long?’

‘A couple of hours. I’m having trouble staying asleep.’

‘You should have called me.’

‘I’m already disturbing your nights too often.’

‘A mother’s privilege.’ That won a tired smile, at least.

‘Who were you ringing?’

‘Jez.’

‘Oh.’

Sophie went to get breakfast, not elaborating. When she sneaked a glance, her daughter was frowning into her cup. Andi didn’t say anything else for a while.

Well, too bad, Sophie thought. Get over it. But she didn’t say that aloud.

Gail had run out of wine again. This time, she’d better buy more than six measly bottles, she decided. And go to a supermarket further away from home, where no one would recognise her. She definitely didn’t want to bump into her mother-in-law. She’d better buy some food while she was at it. Just a few bits and pieces. She hadn’t felt all that hungry lately.

She set off in the early afternoon, hoping the roads wouldn’t be as crowded. She didn’t want any more accidents. Someone had bashed in the wing of her car, though she couldn’t remember the incident. Tom would go spare when he saw it.