Page 95 of The In-Laws

She bowed her head in shame, scurried to the lift, and jumped inside, mercifully alone. That was when she saw herself in the mirror. It was worse than she’d imagined. She had mascara streaked down both cheeks. Her hair was a bird’s nest on her head. Her dress was ripped on one side and, worst of all, she had a love bite on her neck. Who thehell gave love bites? How the hell was she going to explain it to Jamie?

She was too embarrassed to go out onto the road to call a taxi, so she scurried into the Ladies in the lobby. She washed her face, splashed water on her underarms, neck and chest and did up her black bomber jacket. The short sparkly dress and platform boots, which had seemed so ‘cool’ and ‘sexy’ the night before, now seemed cheap and nasty. Just like her. She was cheap and nasty. What thirty-five-year-old mother of two gets so smashed that she wakes up in a hotel room with a stranger? What kind of a person was she?

Katie put her head under the cold-water tap to wash away her tears and try to un-fog her mind. The only person who could fill in the gaps was Frank, but he was Jamie’s brother and, no matter how zen he was, he adored Jamie and would not approve of this kind of slutty behaviour.

With shaking hands, Katie texted Frank.

Hey, bit of a mad one last nite. Think I blaked out. Seem 2 have overdone it. Can u give me a buz later? May be dont say to much to Jamie until weve chatted and ive filled in the gaps.

She scuffled out of the room, out of the front door of the hotel, where thankfully a row of taxis were lined up. She jumped into one. Where was she? She looked around, recognized the area and realized she was near the gig venue. Not too far from home.

As the taxi took her home, her phone buzzed. It was Frank:Morning, I’m heading to a yoga class. Call you later. You were on fire last night. I left you at about midnight chatting to Naomi and her bandmates. I tried to get you to come home, but you absolutely refused. Hope your head’s not too sore. Is everything okay?

Bandmates? So she had gone to bed with one of theguys in the band. If there was a small, weak silver lining, at least it was an Australian bandmate, not some Irish guy she could bump into in Tesco. The band would be on their way back to Australia today. Also, Frank had obviously left before she’d … before she’d … turned into a slut.

She had to manage this situation very carefully. Biting her lip, she typed back:Crazy nite, way to much to drink. Good fun. Just woke up, v sore head. Chat later.

She needed Frank to think she had woken up in her own bed. She’d just have to pray that Jamie was asleep when she got there so she could sneak into the shower and pretend she’d got home earlier. She willed the taxi to hurry up.

When she reached her house, she opened the front door as quietly as she could and snuck up the stairs, avoiding the creaky step.

‘Mummy.’

She froze.

Toby was standing outside her bedroom door.

‘I’m thirsty.’

‘Sssh.’ She put her hand over his mouth and carried him into the bathroom, closing the door as he wriggled in her arms.

‘Mummy!’ He was furious. ‘I just want a drink of water.’

‘Please shush, Toby, everyone is asleep. I’ll get you water now. But you must be quiet.’

Toby wrinkled his nose. ‘You stink, Mummy. Why are you still in your dress? It’s morning time.’

‘No, it isn’t. It’s still night time. Go back to bed and sleep tight.’

‘But it says six on my clock.’

‘That’s still night. Come on, Toby.’ She filled his tooth mug with water and handed it to him, gently nudging him towards his bedroom, resisting the urge to fling him in andlock the door. She settled him, told him if he went straight back to sleep and did not ask her any more questions she’d buy him a box of Heroes chocolates.

He was wide-eyed. ‘A full box for me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Wow.’

‘Okay, now shush and sleep.’

‘All for me and I don’t have to share with Lucy?’

‘Yes. Now, for goodness’ sake, shush or you’ll get nothing.’

‘No need to be grumpy.’

‘Night, sweetie.’ She closed the door.

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