How’s the house now?

Alexa sat up slightly, alert despite the soporific effect of the wine. Bumble protested at this sudden movement by digging her claws into the sofa. Alexa replied.

Ha

Last thing I saw, the firemen were scooping water out with a bucket

AND our sociopathic landlord has sent a sociopathic email which I sort of can’t be bothered to deal with rn

In the meantime we’ve all taken shelter elsewhere

I’m at my dad’s in Wimbledon

She added an eye-roll emoji for good measure. He was typing again.

Oh man, what a pain

Still at least we’re not still in the attic aka prison

Celebrated my freedom by going for a walk up Telegraph Hill with my housemate

She smiled, and typed out a response.

I miss south-east London already

My dad’s cat rules the roost here

Meanwhile, he was expected home hours ago and is yet to appear …

He is such a teenager

She was gratified by his response.

Haha!

You should meet mine

That hung there for a second. She waited, hoping he’d fill the silence. He was typing.

So do you fancy a drink this week?

Could do somewhere central if you’re staying in Wimbledon

She was touched he had remembered her location, despite the fact she’d mentioned it only a few minutes ago.

Yeah – sounds good!

Ugh, exclamation mark. He was typing.

Weds?

Would Wednesday work? Usually she only sanctioned school-night drinking on a Thursday. She rolled her eyes at herself. Of course it worked.

Perfect

I finish work at about 6.30 near Westminster

Where’s good for you?

She watched him type, then stop. She held her breath and closed WhatsApp impulsively. Seconds later, a response popped up.

Soho?

Could go to the John Snow

Alexa saw it in her mind’s eye immediately, on the corners of Lexington and Broadwick Streets. She remembered standing on the cobbles there with Ellen one summer afternoon, in the thoroughfare of a swelling crowd, moving aside every few seconds to let yet another sweaty body past.

Perfect

7pm?

He replied.

Perf x

OK gotta go, my housemate has people round and I haven’t been very sociable

But I’ll see you Weds

Was this an excuse? She supposed it didn’t matter. She replied, a little giddy.

See you then

I’ll return to fighting the cat for the sofa x

He signed off.

Haha x