Page 54 of A Good Mother
Demi tutted. ‘You know, like stroking it and twisting his fingers in her hair. It was well cringe. They were laughing about something, but you could just tell they’re at it… I mean you don’t fiddle with someone’s hair, do you? Not when you work with them. That’s just weird so they must be having an affair.’
Babs was horrified. A million thoughts zinging through her head but the one that made her feel sad, was the thought of poor Willow. Hence, her knee-jerk reaction was to pour cold water on Demi’s assumption, because it couldn’t be true, it was just too awful.
‘Well, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. There could be a totally reasonable and innocent explanation for it,’ – not that Babs could think of one – ‘so best not go repeating all that and spreading gossip, okay, love.’
At this Demi had rolled her eyes. ‘Whatever you say. But you might live in La-La-Land, however I know what I saw, especially when the woman got out of the car and they did this cringy holding hands thing.’
Babs had gone cold and placed her hand on her chest. ‘Oh my Lord, what do you mean?’
Demi laughed and reached out, her fingers wiggling. ‘You know, when you don’t let go of the other persons hand for ages, their fingertips were just touching and then when they broke apart they both wiggled their fingers to say goodbye. So gross, but it was funny too. Me and Hannah stood behind a van and watched. I wish we’d recorded it now, as proof but we will next time, if we spot them. The dirty gets.’
Babs was in shock as she pictured the scene and while Demi rummaged in the biscuit tin and slurped her tea, the ramifications of such incriminating evidence were hard to ignore.
Gina had felt the same after Babs had re-enacted the whole thing during a break from cleaning the patio windows and while they tucked into a slice of carrot cake. Well, Babs did. Gina mostly chopped it up and moved it round her plate until they’d both come to the same conclusion. Men were all dirty bastards, and they’d have to tell Robin about Nate.
And today was the day because neither of them could sit around Robin’s table and not mention it and seeing as she’d heard it first, Babs was going to bring it up.
She was lost in rehearsing her lines and didn’t respond to the first honk of the horn, but when Pete’s car pulled alongside her, Babs was startled and for a second worried as she waited while he lowered the passenger side window.
‘What’re you doing here? Is something wrong?’ Babs expected him to be settled in his favourite spot in front of the telly, remote in hand.
Pete leant over and pulled open the door. ‘I was hoping to have a word, while there’s nobody at home but when I got in the house was empty and when I saw your car on the drive, presumed you’d be out for a walk.’
‘So nothing’s wrong. Bloody hell, Pete, you gave me a right scare then and anyway, what do you want to talk about? I told you I was spending the afternoon with Gina and Robin, so can it wait?’ Babs was annoyed because once again he hadn’t listened; but still, she was a bit curious why he’d made the effort to find her.
‘Look, can you get in, Babs, so we can talk. It’s important and lately it feels like we never get chance to have a proper chat because you’re in bed so early–’
‘That’s because I’m tired and you want to stay up till stupid o’clock watching shite and the house is so full we get no peace. Yes, Pete, I know. Which is why I was pissed off with you when you didn’t back me up with our Isaac. So don’t blame me for living in a mad house.’
In response to the accusation, Pete held his hands up. ‘Okay, okay. I get it and I’m sorry, but please will you get in before someone comes round the bend and whacks the car up the jacksy. I can pull over in the lay-by further on, then I’ll drop you off at Robin’s.’
Babs huffed. He’d ruined it now. Her peaceful walkandpreparing how she’d tell Robin. She’d have to wing it, but curiosity won out and after a tut, just to let him know how much he’d bugged her, she got inside.
It was very awkward, being sat beside your husband, in a lay-by, like lovers sneaking off for a quickie. But instead of a moment of passion, you find yourself lost for words and minus the inclination to get your knickers off. That ship sailed many moons ago.
He’d turned off the engine so ruling out anything slightly romantic, Babs figured the only other option was her imminent murder so he could claim on the insurance. He’d made no move towards either and she was fast losing her patience. ‘Pete, what exactly do you want to talk about because I’m going to be late?’ She rested her hands on the rucksack, which was perched on her knees, the Prosecco inside getting warmer by the second, which was also very annoying.
‘Me and you, because things aren’t right between us, and we can’t go on like this. We don’t communicate at all, and I don’t want it to get worse.’
Pete, not known for shows of emotion or come to think of it, deep thought, had taken Babs by surprise. That he’d even realised they were in the shit gave her a smidgen of hope and a flutter of happiness because maybe he did care. That was why her reply was softer and not like the huffy mare everyone was used to.
‘I know, and you’re right… and I’m glad you’ve noticed because it’s a starting point, isn’t it? Acceptance.’ She had turned slightly and watched Pete in profile as he nodded his agreement. ‘So, what do you think we should do about it?’
She wished he’d turn to face her and not just stare out of the windscreen but reminded herself that having a heart-to-heart would be hard for him, against his instincts and out of his comfort zone, so she quelled her irritation and waited.
‘I honestly don’t know. What if we made a list of our faults and tried to work on those, so we don’t get on each other’s nerves as much.’ He turned then, his eyes wide, a look of hope on his face, not realising he’d come up with the worst and most annoying idea ever. And Babs told him so.
‘Oh, so I get on your nerves, do I? Thanks for that, Pete. And making a list has to be the most stupid idea because picking each other’s faults apart is a sure-fire way to start a row. So let’s move on.’
In her heart she’d already signed Pete’s big gesture off as a waste of time but decided to give it one more go; it was the least she could do. ‘What if we said how we feel, instead. Let’s focus on that. Then how we can make our lives happier.’
‘Okay. Mine was a daft idea because I already know I annoy you loads more than you annoy me.’
The loud huffing that came from Babs was meant as a hint to get on with it, which he took. ‘So, who goes first?’ Pete looked at his hands and fiddled with the cuff of his sweatshirt.
‘You go first. I’m interested to hear how you feel seeing as you never talk about it.’ Babs waited, not expecting much.
‘Okay… well… I feel lonely if you must know. Like I’ve lost my best friend because I bug her so much she can’t be bothered with me anymore.’ He paused.
