Page 126 of The Spark

She looks sceptical. ‘I’ve never known you to bathe in the glory of anything.’

Considering the past couple of nights’ skipped housework, I sip my drink, a tiny toast to myself. ‘Well, this time, I think I’m genuinely ready to appreciate what I have right now. Or, I’m ready to try, at least.’

She laughs. ‘Yeah, okay. Until next week.’

I ask after Maz and the twins. She tells me she’s dreading the summer holidays, having to juggle childcare with Maz and her parents and her in-laws. ‘This is what they don’t tell you about having kids,’ she says darkly. ‘The logistics involved in trying to take time off with your own husband.’

‘But the twins,’ I say, with a smile, because Parveen’s love for her kids is nothing short of ferocious.

‘Hmm. Yeah, it would be easier if they weren’t quite so bloody adorable.’

I get another round in. As I set down her drink, she asks if there’s any news on the house.

Last week, my mother dropped a bombshell – and for once, it was the good kind. She told me she’d decided to move into what she calls Ralph’s ‘snazzy little apartment’ on the south side of Norwich. Then she casually asked if I fancied taking over the house.

She was packing at the time, in preparation for the move. I was biting my fist, watching her stuff hair pieces, outdoor shoes and a fish poacher into the same box.

‘What?’ I said, when she asked, thinking I might have misheard. I couldn’t even attribute it to her being tipsy, because miraculously, she was still sober – six whole months and counting.

‘Move in here. You’re always lecturing me about how much you love it.’

‘I could never afford to buy this place.’

‘Well, you could buy part of it and pay me rent on the rest, or something. I won’t be paying anything at Ralph’s, so...’

My tear ducts geared up. ‘Mum... are you serious?’

She shrugged, like it was no big deal. ‘Yes. This place always felt like a prison to me. Full of bad memories. You know I think he used to bring her back here sometimes, while I was out gigging?’

I nodded sadly, wondering if there would ever be a day when my mother might forget about Bev, the irony of which was not lost on me.

‘I can’t stand it,’ she continued. ‘I should have left years ago, moved on.’

‘Yeah.’ I smiled softly. ‘I know how you feel.’

‘Breathe some life back into it, darling. It’s what you’re good at, isn’t it?’

After she asked, I did have to think long and hard about swapping my place for hers. At first, the prospect sat awkwardly inside me, pressing painfully against some of my more vital organs. But eventually, I said yes. I knew in my heart that I wanted to. That here, now, was a chance for a new start, to do something brave.

Straight away, the decision felt good. It’s still scary, but good-scary. Every night since, I’ve sat cross-legged on my living room floor, surrounded by magazines, drawings, plans and mood boards, mapping out the restoration like I’m solving a crime. Which, I guess, in many ways I am.

Lara always loved Mum’s house. I have still-vivid memories of her sipping coffee next to the double-height windows in the kitchen, hair dappled with sunshine, watching the world go by outside. I’ve already planned a full shelf of slogan mugs in her honour.

‘We’re talking to the solicitor next week,’ I tell Parveen now.

She smiles. ‘Look at you, you’re buzzing. I never actually thought you’d leave your place.’

‘Mum’s house will be gorgeous too, eventually. I can’t wait for you to see it.’

‘So, I guess you do have another big project up your sleeve, then,’ she says, with a wink.

‘Yeah. But this time, I’m going to enjoy the process. Not obsess over the end result. I’m going to appreciate every day.’

Parveen laughs. ‘You sound like a fridge magnet.’ Then she pauses for a couple of moments before touching my arm. ‘Listen, I meant to tell you. I saw Ash while you were in California. We were on site quite a bit together at Millbrook.’

‘Oh.’ I try to keep the trepidation from my voice. ‘How is he? How’s his leg?’

She blinks at me a couple of times. ‘How’s his leg? Is that really what you want to know?’

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