Page 67 of Mayfair Madame
“Oh yes, sorry.” I dug around in my backpack for my wallet and threw a twenty at him. “Keep the change.”
I stood on the pavement and took in her house. It’d been a while since I’d visited. The garden was immaculate, with colour-filled flower beds and impressive hanging baskets. She’d embraced the home life. I wasn’t sure I ever would.
But this thing with Naomi….
Before I could finish the thought, the front door flew open and two bundles of energy barrelled towards me.
“Mum, she’s here. Aunt Ellie’s here.”
In my weakened state, I was almost knocked flat but, by some stroke of luck, I stayed on my feet and gathered my nieces to me.
Sophie was eight, with long blonde hair and blue eyes, the image of her dad. Roxie was six and looked so much like me, she could have been my daughter. But then, Lucy and I had been mistaken for twins despite her being older than me.
“Girls, give her some space.” My sister walked towards me, her willowy figure so different from mine. Whereas I’d carried the weight, she’d always been svelte. Was I jealous of her height? Of course I was, but we couldn’t have everything, I guessed.
“Hi, Lucy.” I shoved my hands into the pockets of my hoodie and kicked the ground like a petulant teenager. She had a way of making me feel like a kid again.
“You look like shit. Come inside and tell your big sister what happened.” I took her offered hand and followed her into the house, the smell of freshly brewed coffee hitting me. My stomach growled in response, reminding me I’d eaten barely anything.
I’d expected a tirade and instead was greeted with affection, a sentiment that warmed my heart.
I sat at the small table in her kitchen and felt at home. A bundle of black fur jumped into my lap, the cat’s purr loud in the silent room. She kneaded my lap before finally settling down.
“Biscuits has missed you.” Lucy placed a huge mug of black coffee on the table in front of me.
“She barely remembers me.” I fondled her soft ears and relaxed into the chair, feeling calm for the first time since I’d left Naomi’sapartment.
“Have you eaten?” She took bacon from the fridge.
I shook my head, unwilling to look her in the eye. She knew the struggles I’d faced as both a child and a teen.
“I’m cooking for Henry, I might as well put some on for you too.”
“I’m not hungry.” My stomach growled again, betraying me.
“That says otherwise.” She pointed at my belly.
“It was the cat.”
“Fuck was it.”
“I see your potty mouth hasn’t improved. What if the girls hear you?” I looked around for them.
“They’re outside on the trampoline.” Squeals came from the garden,and I watched as they bounced and did somersaults.
“How’s Mum?” I’d better ask and get it out of the way.
“She’s better than she was. She doesn’t need an op, thank God. She hates being in there, but it’s the best place for her right now.”
“How long will she be in there?”
“A few days, maybe? As soon as they have care in place, they’ll discharge her. I’m not sure she’s well enough to be on her own. It might betime to think about putting her in a home. She won’t admit it, but she’s struggling to cope on her own, Ellie.”
“I’m sorry.” All the way here, I’d done nothing but think about the situation, wondering if I should move home to be closer, relieving some of the pressure from Lucy.
“For what?” She flipped the bacon in the pan and hissed as droplets of fat splashed her skin.
“Not being here. Leaving you to it. Everything.”
