Page 58 of Faking It (and falling in love)

“Sure thing,” said Sienna. “I’m hanging up now. Good luck.”

Philippa was making good progress when she hit a traffic jam. There had been a minor collision ahead and everything had come to a standstill. “Fuck!” she exclaimed, just as her phone began to ring.

It was Roderick. “Hey boss, Sienna’s given me the update, I’m on my way.”

“Avoid the M42, I’m in a traffic jam and I have no idea how long I’ll be stuck,” said Philippa, so frustrated she wanted to cry.

“Noted. I’ll go round through Solihull,” said Roderick. She could hear him shutting a car door and putting on his seatbelt. “Do we need to contact the police?”

“I hope not. If at all possible, I’d like to manage this informally. You know as well as I do that you don’t have to stay married, but if you have kids, you’re divorced forever, and youalways have to manage that dynamic. I don’t want to make this any worse than it already is.”

“Yeah,” said Roderick, “never a truer word. And Alex is on her way there?”

“She is. Sienna has her number, so call her when you arrive. Looking at the state of this traffic, you’re going to be there before I am,” said Philippa.

“Got it. I’ll call you when I get there,” said Roderick.

“Thanks.” Philippa immediately redialled. “Alex, you ok?”

“Yeah, although I just heard a traffic update saying to avoid the M42 because of an accident. I’m relieved I’d already got onto the A roads instead,” said Alex.

“I wish I’d heard that update,” Philippa told her. “I’m in stationary traffic, I’m afraid.”

“Oh no!” said Alex, her voice catching. “So what should I do when I get there? What do I say?” Her breaths came fast.

“Don’t worry. Roderick’s on his way. I’ve briefed him and he knows what to do.” Philippa thought for a moment before continuing. “And I’ve sent Sienna to Jess’s house to take a look through the window and see if it looks like it’s been emptied.”

“Sienna? Ok.” Alex hesitated. “Good idea. I really should have thought to check there myself, but I just knew I needed to get to the airport before the flight left.”

Philippa chose not to share the timing of the next flight. It wouldn’t help Alex to know that there was less than an hour now until the potential departure of her daughter. There was no need to stress her out any more, and the last thing Philippa wanted was for her to stop concentrating on the road.

Philippa turned off her car. It was clear she wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. She felt powerless and angry. She’d advised clients so many times about how best to manage access to their children, but she’d never experienced it from such close quarters. She had no idea how Alex was still functioning. Shecouldn’t imagine how she would cope if Paul tried to take Dottie from her. Not for the first time, she took a moment to appreciate how supportive he’d been throughout what must have been a difficult time for him.

She looked at her watch. Just twenty-five minutes until the flight left. The odds of Alex and Roderick getting there before Jess and Seren went through security were growing slimmer with every minute. A bead of sweat dropped down her brow as she began to strategise. It was the only way she could cope. She reached across to the passenger seat and retrieved the bag in which her laptop was stashed. She moved the driving seat back and opened it up, then began to make a list of options for what Alex would be able to do if Jess had succeeded in taking Seren out of the country.

She knew that ultimately, when it came to family situations such as these, there was never a black and white answer. Families were complicated. And she knew that, if push came to shove, Alex would leave the country to be with her daughter. Of course she would. The selfish part of Philippa dreaded that option. How on earth could they, as two single parents, maintain a relationship between France and Birmingham? It would be more than difficult. Deep down, Philippa knew she would support whatever Alex chose to do. But for now, she hoped against hope there was a way to resolve this.

Eventually Philippa’s phone rang again. “I’m here with Roderick,” said Alex, her voice urgent. “This place is huge.”

“It is,” said Philippa, “but I think Sienna’s given the check-in counter number to Roderick. Go there first.”

“Ok,” said Alex. “I’ll call you in a bit.”

Philippa’s pulse was racing now, even as she sat in her stationary car. She tried to imagine Alex and Roderick finding Seren and Jess as they queued up with their suitcases.

At that moment, a police car appeared, having driven the wrong way down the hard shoulder. An officer got out and began to speak to people in their cars. Philippa wound down her window to hear.

“So sorry, ladies and gents,” said the officer, a portly chap with a moustache. “This section’s going to be closed for a good hour or so. We’re going to turn you around to go back the way you came and leave at the next junction.”

Philippa groaned. Was nothing going to go her way? This was not the way things ended in those Hollywood romantic comedies with a race to the airport. By the time she got off the motorway and found a new route, the flight would be long gone. Still, she had to do something. She switched on her car, ready to move the moment the cars behind her turned around. She called Roderick. “Anything?”

“No,” said Roderick. “I’m sorry, Philippa, but I think we’re too late. I’m here with Alex. The counter was already closed, and the gate’s closed now, too. The flight is about to board.”

“Oh no,” said Philippa, her head in her hands. Even though she knew it was irrational, she felt as if she had failed in some way.

“It looks like she got our letter and freaked out,” said Roderick. “She’s trying to get away before any action is taken.”

Philippa sighed. “Yes, you’re probably right. Is Alex ok?”

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