Page 104 of The Rose (The Godwicks 2)

“Because it’s so fun to watch you squirm,” her mother said. “My own mother used to torture me, too. This is cosmic payback.”

“Can’t you please let me complete my walk of shame in peace, Mother?”

“Walk of fame, darling. Walk offame. We do not buy into those sexist and outdated notions that girls aren’t allowed to have as much fun as boys are.”

“Thank you, Gloria Steinem. I’m going to walk my famous way to bed.”

“Aren’t you even going to ask why I’m awake so early and loitering by your staircase?”

Lia sighed heavily. “Why are you awake so early, Mum?”

“Because August called.”

“What?” Lia was suddenly wide-awake.

“He called your father’s mobile. Said you weren’t answering yours and it had rained a little and he wanted to make sure you got home safely.”

“Out of juice,” Lia said. “I’ll charge up and text him. Now can I go to bed?”

“You can.”

Lia turned and started—gingerly—up the stairs. She’d need to put an ice pack on her twat after the things August had done to her last night.

“He’s in love with you, you know,” her mother called up to her. No more smugness. Now her mother was absolutely crowing.

“He is not,” Lia called back.

“He called your father’s phone to make sure you got home safe. Either he’s in love with you or he has a death wish.”

Lia went to the top of the stairs and glared down at her mother.

“Today is Wednesday,” she said. “I met him on Saturday. That is five days.”

“Five? That’s a lifetime. I was already married to your father and pregnant with you two days after meeting him.”

Her mother had a point. Why were people always making good points when she didn’t want them to?

“Going to bed, Mum. Alone and not pregnant. Please stop talking.”

“Fine, fine. But you should know, even if your father disapproves, I like your boyfriend.”

Lia walked back down the stairs, put her hands on her mother’s shoulders and smiled.

“Mother, he is not my boyfriend. I am using him for sex. Gobs of very weird sex.”

Mum raised her eyebrows.

“See?” Lia said. “Two can play this game. Not so smug anymore, are we?”

“You aredefinitelyyour father’s daughter.”

Lia’s mother walked away. Thank the gods.

As soon as Lia was in her bedroom she plugged in her phone, as she promised she would, pulled off her clothes and collapsed into her bed.

Two seconds later, Gogo jumped onto the bed and stretched out next to her.

“He’s not in love with me,” Lia said to Gogo. He seemed to sort of nod in agreement. Or maybe he was just trying to lick her arm. Hard to say.

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