Best day’s eating I’d had in a while. Food at Loretta’s wedding was good, too, but Western food never quite hit the spot in the same way.
That said, Western cuisine had its virtues. After dinner, Kriya said: “I’m going to open the bottle of wine Esther brought over. Do you want some?”
We ended up drinking it on the sofa, with some kdrama playing on the TV.
Felt relaxed and fuzzy and weirdly at home, as though I belonged there. Dangerously easy to imagine living there for real, waking up with Kriya every day.
Kriya: “I forgot to ask, how was your flat?”
CG: “Not great. Loretta’s things are all right, but I’ll have to move out till they’ve fixed the place. They said repairs should take a couple of weeks.”
Kriya made a face. “Aren’t you broke?”
CG: “Yeah.” Two weeks at a London hotel would have been a significant expense at any time—one I could afford, usually, but that I would notice. Right now, when I was cleaned out from sending money to Ba… “I’ll have to put it on my credit card, if the building management company doesn’t agree to cover it.”
Kriya: “If they don’t pay, why don’t you just stay here?”
She wouldn’t have offered if she knew how comfortable I was after all of one day. She’d have to pry me out with a crowbar if she let me stay for two whole weeks.
CG: “It’s not so bad. I’ll only have to hang on till we get paid at the end of the month.”
Kriya sat up. “Seriously, Charles. I’d rather you take my sofa than give some depressing Travelodge all that money. It’s only for two weeks.”
A strand of hair fell over her face. She was so exercised she didn’t seem to notice it.
Wanted to reach out to tuck it behind her ear. I could almost feel the warmth of her skin, the springy texture of her hair against my fingers. Looked away, clutching the stem of my wine glass.
CG: “It might take longer, you never know with repairs. We’ll see on Monday. Hopefully they’ll stump up. They’ve been pretty good historically. I’ve lived there a long time.”
Kriya: “Do you own the flat?”
Nodded. “I started out renting it with another trainee in my intake, when we both started at Swithin Watkins. He dropped out and went off to Australia—he’s a scuba diving instructor now—but I kept the place. Then the landlord wanted to sell up and offered me the flat, so I went for it. It’s in Kentish Town, easy commute to the office.”
Kriya: “Yeah, Thameslink, right? It’s a nice area.”
CG: “I should probably think about selling, once they’ve sorted the repairs and Loretta moves out. I don’t really need the space.”
Hate the idea of selling. After Ba left, Ma and I had to move all the time. It’s been nice, being able to stay in one place. I’m used to the flat now.
But I don’t need a second bedroom. If I downsized to a studio, that would free up some money.
For what, though? Ba’s next emergency? He’s never going to be done having those.
Kriya: “Where are Loretta and Hayley moving to?”
Told her about the plan. Loretta and Hayley staying with me when they get back from Japan, but only till they’ve completed on the flat in Peckham they’ve offered on.
CG: “Do you own this place, or…?”
Kriya: “No, I’m renting. Tom and I wanted to buy a place together, but he wasn’t that happy at his job. He wanted to wait till he got a better role, something he could see himself doing long-term.” Her lips twisted. “Guess he’s got that now.”
She took a swig of her wine.
I’d had a few too many swigs myself. Knew I shouldn’t ask. Nonetheless found myself saying: “Do you miss him?”
Kriya didn’t seem offended. She thought about it. Finally: “No. It’s funny. He was so important to me for so long. But you know, I worked so hard to make him happy. When it didn’t work, it felt like there was something wrong with me. So not feeling that anymore, it’s a huge relief. Like a weight off my back.”
She gazed pensively at the TV. On the screen a preternaturally beautiful couple were walking through Seoul in the rain, shielding under the same umbrella. “No. I don’t miss Tom.