She sent a link to an article from a website that published lots of quizzes that helped you find out which type of cinema snack you were most similar to. Jack couldn’t believe that his tweets were such a big deal. He felt bashful.

Yeah lol!!

Bit of a weird weekend

I was on the news!

After a few seconds he tapped out another WhatsApp.

Lol

She didn’t reply, and the rest of the week passed slowly. Jack felt tired a lot, because he wasn’t sleeping well on Maisie’s couch. And one day he missed his interchange on the Tube and was late for work.

On Thursday, he was copied in on an email from Alexa.

From: [email protected]

To: elias@southeast_homes.com

CC: [email protected]; [email protected]

Subject: Re: Re: 49 Rokeby Close

Dear Elias,

I am emailing to confirm in writing what you discussed with my lawyer on the phone this afternoon.

As agreed, you will pay for the kitchen to be fixed and for the carpets to be vacuum cleaned. This will be done ASAP. One of us can be available to let the handymen into the house and to supervise the work.

When this is complete, we will confirm a date for us to move back into 49 Rokeby Close.

Very best,

Alexa

Jack read the email a couple of times and felt awed by Alexa. On his third rereading, there was a message from Alexa to their WhatsApp group.

Hi guys! You may have spotted my email – I wussed out and let my dad (or rather ‘my lawyer’) deal with everything. Will keep you posted on any more news – one of us will have to go and actually let the plumber etc in, but hopefully we can move back home soon! X

Jack replied with a thumbs-up emoji. Ellen replied with a fire emoji and a couple of messages.

Yessssss Marcus!

Thanks Lex

Obv more than happy to wait for the handymen as I have the new keys

Let us know xxx

Jack was very relieved that it looked like things might be working out. He missed his space and 49 Rokeby Close. He missed Ellen and Alexa too. He didn’t much like being back at Maisie’s. He also knew that Rich wasn’t delighted to have him back.

On Friday morning, Jack overheard them arguing in the kitchen very early. It woke him up half an hour before his alarm went off. Theirs was a small flat, and the kitchen was right next to the living room, with an arch rather than a door to divide them.

‘I know it’s not ideal but he doesn’t have anywhere else to go,’ Maisie hissed.

Jack heard the high, clear jangling of a spoon hitting the inside of a mug a few times.

‘I don’t see why he can’t stay with a mate, or something,’ Rich replied.