Page 76 of The Reboot
‘It’s fine, no biggie.’ She painted on a smile, trying to hide her disappointment. But now they had even more to celebrate and she wished he was staying. ‘I shouldn’t have assumed…’
‘It’s a pity. It looks great.’
‘Well, I haven’t cooked anything yet. We could put it off until tomorrow?’
‘You’ve gone to all this trouble. Why don’t you invite someone over? You could ask Andrew.’
‘Yeah, maybe I’ll do that.’
‘Anyway, I’ve got to go. I just came home first to pick this up.’ He lifted his guitar, which was leaning against the wall by the door. ‘Sorry! See you later.’ And then he was gone again, bounding out the door, guitar in hand.
Ella sat down at the kitchen table, not sure what to do. Maybe sheshouldask Andrew if he could come over – or Hazel. Or she could just enjoy a quiet night in by herself. There was no reason to feel so deflated. What was she doing anyway, cooking dinner for Roly like some 1950s wifey waiting for her husband to come home from work. They weren’t a couple. Roly didn’t have to answer to her, or keep her informed of his plans, and she shouldn’t assume they’d spend all their evenings together. They were just friends, housemates.
She’d fallen into a routine with him, and had got into a bad habit of fitting her life around him. She should make an effort to spend more time with other people, nurture other friendships, make a life separate from Roly. Then she wouldn’t end up feeling like such a sad sack when Roly had somewhere else to be, other people to see.
After all, they were supposed to be getting their lives back on track. He was out there getting on with it, and she should do the same. Yes! She slapped the table decisively and stood, grabbing her phone from the worktop. She’d open a bottle of wine and ask Andrew over. It was short notice, and he may not be able to come anyway, but at least she could feel she’d tried.
‘Sorry about the short notice,’ she said later as she opened the door to Andrew. ‘I’m glad you were able to make it.’
‘Lucky for you I have a pretty dull social life at the moment. I’m practically a nun!’
Ella laughed as she took his jacket. ‘Well, come in, Sister.’ She led him down the hall to the kitchen.
‘Nice place,’ he said, looking around. ‘I love these old period houses. If this is where selling your soul gets you, I might be tempted.’ He laughed, trying to pass it off as a joke, but it did nothing to hide the bitterness of his words.
‘I couldn’t normally afford to rent here on my salary. But Roly’s giving me mate rates, so I lucked out.’
‘He owns it?’
‘Yeah.’
‘And it’s just the two of you here?’
She heard the implied criticism and tried not to let it rile her. ‘Yep, just us.’ What did he think? That they should be sharing with a family of refugees? That Roly should be taking in students?
‘Must be nice to have so much space.’
‘Yeah, it’s lovely,’ she said disingenuously. For god’s sake! It wasn’t as if the house was flash or anything. Granted, it was a lot more than most people their age could afford, but it was actually a pretty modest house for a world-famous pop star. She was beginning to regret inviting Andrew over instead of chilling out by herself for the night with a quiet dinner and a book.
‘Well, sit down.’ She waved to the table. He took a seat, and Ella lifted the bottle of wine from the cooler to pour him a glass. She’d already downed one herself while she waited for him to arrive.
‘Oh, not for me, thanks,’ Andrew said, holding up a hand to stop her.
‘Oh? Really?’ He’d always been fond of white wine in the past, but it had been a long time. ‘Would you prefer red? We’re having salmon.’
‘No, no wine for me at all. I’m fine with water.’ He nodded at the bottle of sparkling water on the table. ‘I’m eight months sober today,’ he announced with a proud smile.
‘Oh!’ Ella sank onto a chair opposite him. Wow, it really had been a long time. She’d had no idea.
‘Don’t look so shocked!’ He gave a little laugh.
‘No, that’s … great. Well done! I’m just surprised, that’s all. I didn’t know, or I wouldn’t have…’ She waved at the bottle.
‘It’s fine. You didn’t know. Though didn’t you notice I wasn’t drinking the other night?’
She thought back. Now that he mentioned it, she did remember he’d only drunk water in the bar at the Olympia. But she’d suspected he was just being parsimonious. ‘I didn’t think anything of it,’ she said. ‘There’s nothing unusual about not drinking for one night. And you never had a problem before…’
‘Didn’t I? I’m not so sure.’
