Page 58 of From Now On

Duke –I’m a happy genius!!!

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Nina

Text to Maeve:

So, Charlie’s changed his mind AGAIN & we’re living at home with him

Maeve –Cool!

Nina –Whatever. He’ll probably change his mind AGAIN

Chapter Thirty

Charlie

Charlie raps on Pippa’s door, bouncing up and down on his toes. ‘C’mon, c’mon.’

As she answers, he says, ‘Emergency, I need your help.’

‘Are the children okay?’ Her voice is high, worried.

‘They’re fine. Sorry.’ He is stricken. ‘But I forgot to buy any food for their packed lunches. When I was here for that short time before they went to Violet’s Nina sorted herself out. But now Duke’s at school too. I’m such an idiot. I bought cereal and main meals and completely forgot about lunch and we need to leave for school in—’ he checks his watch ‘—five minutes.’

‘You’d better come in and have a rummage.’ Pippa stands back, tightening the belt on her dressing gown. With her hair in plaits and face free of make-up she looks barely older than she had at school but of course so much has changed. He feels a sudden stab of longing for simpler times.

Charlie hurries towards the kitchen, notices the half-eaten slice of honey-soaked toast on a plate. ‘Now, your breakfast will be cold. I’m sorry.’

‘Charlie, it’s okay.’

‘It isn’t. It’s my first morning as official carer to the kids and I’ve already messed things up.’ He feels he has such a lot to prove.

‘It’s not a disaster. Take a breath and don’t make this about you, Charlie. It’s fine. Let’s find them something to eat.’

He opens the fridge. Pulls out a couple of yoghurts.

‘Nina doesn’t like yoghurt and Duke isn’t keen on the peach flavoured one; there should be a strawberry one somewhere.’

‘Got it. And sandwiches? Cheese? Can you even put camembert in a sandwich?’ He sniffs it.

‘It isn’t suitable for vegetarians. Why don’t you go and comb your hair? I’ll rustle up something for them both.’

‘Christ, do I look that bad?’ Charlie rushes to the bathroom, dismayed at his reflection in the mirror. It’s quarter past eight and he looks as though he’s just rolled out of bed. This time last year, he had negotiated a seven-figure deal for a debut author over a breakfast deal, virtually unheard of. Now, he can’t even get two kids ready for school in time. He runs his hands under the tap and does the best he can to smooth down his hair.

Back in the kitchen, Pippa pushes two containers into his hands. ‘Green for Duke, red for Nina. I’ll text you a list of things they like then you can pop into Tesco on your way back.’

‘Back?’

‘From the school. Nina walks with Maeve still but youaretaking Duke?’

‘Oh, right. Yes, of course.’ He flashes a smile and hurries back over the road.

‘Where’s Nina?’ he asks Duke who is sitting at the bottom of the stairs. If there was an Olympic medal for how slowly someone could tie their shoes, Duke would win.

‘She’s already gone to meet Maeve.’

‘But her lunch? Did she say anything before she left?’

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