Page 73 of Fighting Mr. Knight

It takes a few rings for her to pick up. When she does, I see an ear.

“Hello, love! I haven’t heard from you in a few days. You have me worried!”

“Hi, Mum. Sorry, I know. I’ve been busy with work. This is a video call, by the way. I can see your ear.”

“Oh. Oh, let me see.” The screen fuzzes for thirty seconds as Mum works out how to turn the phone around. She comes into focus. “There we are. Where are you, love?”

“Just finished drinks with Kate. I’m walking to the tube.” If I tell her I was on a date, I’ll get interrogated.

She looks delighted and moves her head as if she’s going to somehow see around the corner who’s behind me. “Is she there? I wanted to tell her what a stunning bride she was.”

“Sorry, Mum, she’s gone home,” I lie again.

“That’s a pity. You’ll have to bring her over for Sunday lunch soon.”

I nod. “Sounds good. I’ll sort it out in a few weeks when work isn’t so busy. How are you, Mum?”

“I’m great, love, but missing you. I haven’t seen you in ages.” She pouts. “Aunt Leslie came over from dinner. She asked about you. I’m trying to convince her to join the bowling club. I really think she would love it.”

The contrast between Mum’s life and Dad’s kills me. She has private health insurance, doesn’t have to worry about working and is in lots of different women’s societies.

Mum met Phil, my stepdad, a few months after splitting from Dad. It was an East End rags-to-riches story. Phil was a dentist who owned his own practice in the city and fell in insta-lust with Mum. Having a dental practice near the Bank of England HQ means you’re doing okay for yourself.

Six months after she split from Dad, Phil had already bought a detached family home in a leafy suburb with a brag-worthy postal code and moved Mum in.

I kind of resented her for that. Just like Max, I suspect she mentally left the relationship with my dad long before the official split.

I was eighteen so I went away to university and at least that way, it didn’t feel as if I was picking sides.

A year later, Dad lost the house to the bank.

“I’m sure she would, Mum. I need to see Leslie. Sorry I haven’t come over in a while. I’ve been working late every night. I promise I will soon.”

A line forms between her brows. “Why are they making you work late? I don’t like the idea of you going home in the dark by yourself to that little flat.”

“It’s fine, no one forced me to stay late,” I say firmly. “I didn’t go back to my flat. I stayed at Dad’s last night.”

Her expression pinches. “That’s great you visited your father but don’t forget about me.”

“I won’t forget about you, Mum.” I sigh, mildly irritated. “But Dad’s by himself most of the time. And that flat of his isn’t the nicest. I need to check in on him.”

“Your father’s a grown man, Bonnie. You don’t need to feel guilty. By all means, visit your father but I’m not comfortable with you going alone late at night. Did you get a taxi?”

Now’s my chance to get answers.

“Actually, I got a lift with Jack Knight.”

Her face lights up as if I’ve informed her I’ve won the national lottery. “Jack Knight?” She squeals, her eyes gleaming. “How lovely! What acatch, darling. Oh, this really is fantastic—”

“Mum. He gave me a lift, that’s all. In his own words, if I’m in his office, he has a duty of care.”

“Uh-huh. He’s such a handsome chap, isn’t he?” she gushes. “Never mind how successful he is andeverythinghe’s done for the area.”

“He’s a client my company is doing work for. That’s all.”

“I always knew he would go for a down-to-earth East End girl. I saw his mother and twin sisters the other day when Phil and I went to lunch. Snooty bunch. They’d pretend not to know you. Don’t ever think you’re not good enough for him just because he has cash, love.”

I exhale heavily. She’s not even listening to me anymore. She’s got me walking down the aisle and milking him for Knight grandbabies, all over a lift.

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