Page 28 of Tricky Girls

‘She’s a toughie. She’ll be fine. Kids get sick. How’s Nan? Hating hospital, I bet.’

‘About to go up and see her now if that’s alright with you.’

‘Sure. I’ll hold down the fort. I’ll go see her tomorrow or something.’

He nods, giving my arm a stroke as he heads back downstairs. He looks like shit. Wan and tired. He doesn’t need to be dealing with all this.

Once he’s left, I make a deal with Daniel: he looks after the girls while I take the dogs out.

There’s a river behind the field of Maisie and Taylor’s school. It leads all the way into the nearest city, but I’ve never walked that far. It’s pretty sparse, just murky water, grassy banks and horse fields, but it’s good for when you need a breather.

It’s dark out, despite not being that late. Light pollution and distant houses light my way. There’s plenty of other dogwalkers around this time of night so it’s not too creepy.

Things feel more settled here. Sucks Mum isn’t around to look after her kids, but I know she’s safer in the crisis house where she can’t hurt herself. Nan will be fine. Didn’t break anything, just knocked her noggin. Still going to need some recovery time once she gets out. Maybe I can do every weekend. Maybe I can persuade Daniel to step up and help more. I know he’s still a kid but he can do more to help than just playing his Xbox. He can take the dogs out at the very least.

As regular as clockwork, Lady starts begging to be picked up as I make the loop back home. I gather her into my arms, kissing her ginger fluffiness. All gingers in this family apart from the cats who are all pure black.

My thoughts drift back to Hazelhurst as I watch swans peck at the overgrown banks. Wonder how game night went. I know Haz was pissed I bailed on our storyboarding session, but she’ll get over it. She’s a better illustrator than me anyway. Tilda too, who said she’d do half of it.

We also left her in charge of the script since it’s her baby. I feel major FOMO thinking about the two of them back at Hazelhurst.They might have even buddied up to work on the project, though I doubt much would get done if that’s the case. Haz will be trying to add more entries, a thought that irritates me. It’s not that I mind sharing the girl,ifthat’s what she eventually wants, it’s Haz winning that pisses me off. She’s a dirty player whilst I like to play by the rules.

Guess who wins the most?

I take stock of myself now, carrying this lazy mutt, her bags of shit dangling from my fingers, probably about to contract a violent stomach bug myself.

I don’t wish Haz’s past on anyone but at least she’s free. Like, no family at all. No duties. No responsibilities. But all that money she inherited off her piece of shit family after they went up in flames. Literally.

Kind of messed up that I envy her.

I just need another two years—less than. Then I can return home permanently. Get a job, agoodone that Hazelhurst will be the key to, and support my grandparents. Be there for Mum more.

I just have a feeling they don’t have another two years in them.

Grandad is always in bed early so by 10pm I’m flopped on the sofa, a thin blanket over me and both dogs lolling on the floor. The girls would be hanging off me if they were well, too hyped up to sleep. A testament to just how sick they’re feeling. Dan will no doubt be up in his den, playing his shooter into the wee hours of the morning.

I’m restless. Bored. Trying not to worry. I scroll through my contacts, heart doing a little flip when I see a green dot besideTilda’s name. I click onto it, scrolling through our few messages. Then I add one more.

Working hard, I hope.

I’m not really expecting a reply, so I’m surprised when I get one back almost immediately.

Tilda: Of course. Star student me. Haz has just left actually

I let out a huff. Bloody knew it.

Me: Oh yeah? Get much done?

Tilda: She was helping me with some boy trouble

Me: Sounds like Haz. Little Samaritan that she is

Tilda: Little devil, you mean. Are you doing game night too?

Me: Nope. Home this weekend.

Tilda: Oh cool. Where’s that? Any sibs?

Me: Midlands-ish. And yeah, three of them. All younger

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