Page 12 of The Way We Fell

I find myself drawing parallels between this book and real life; between this fictional cowboy and Jay. The way they both wear quiet stoicism as a façade to hide their demons from view. The way the female character finds herself drawn to the cowboy, her earnestness and her desire to help and comfort him—that’s something I identify with all too well. I slam the book closed after another chapter, just as Maisy begins to stir and the first fingers of light begin to lick at the sky.

“Mama?”

“It’s me, love.” I drop to my knees beside the sofa, brushing Maisy’s unruly curls back from her face. “I’ve got you, Maisy Pop.”

“Where Mama?” Her eyes brim with tears as her lower lip begins to wobble. I pull her into my arms, cradling her head against my chest.

“Mama had to work, honey.” I press a kiss to her hair. “She thought you might like to come and stay with me, though. Is that okay?”

“Want Mama.”

“I know, love.” I kiss her curls again. “She’ll be home soon, though. Daddy, too.”

“Daddy home?”

“Soon, baby. They’ll be home soon. Until then, how about we have some breakfast?”

“Cheerios?”

Ah. I don’t think I have Cheerios in the kitchen. I think fast, trying to come up with an alternative that won’t result in a tired, emotional little girl having a meltdown at six in the morning.

“I don’t know if I have any Cheerios left, Maisy Pop, I think you ate them all last time! You know what I do have, though?” I pull away slightly, looking down into her green eyes.

“What?”

“I have toast. And I have bananas… and strawberries.” I grin wickedly at my goddaughter, who loves berries of all shapes and sizes.

“Boo-berries?” Her question is hopeful, and I rack my brain trying to run through the contents of my fridge. There might still be half a punnet of blueberries in there, if they’re still viable. My fridge is definitely overdue a clear-out, but that’s my least favourite chore and the one I’m most likely to put off for as long as I possibly can.

“Shall we go and have a look?”

“Yeah!”

Maisy wraps her arms and legs around me like a koala and I carry her into the kitchen.

“Goodness me, little lady, you’re going to be too tall for this soon! You’re nearly as tall as me!”

Maisy throws her head back and cackles, Roger clutched tightly in one fist behind my shoulder. I lower her to the ground and she shuffles impatiently from one foot to the other as I take my time to inspect the inside of my fridge.

“Yup, there’s the strawberries… and the raspberries…” Maisy makes a quiet squeaking sound as I move things around and pause for dramatic effect. “And… we haveblueberries!”

I pull out the small plastic pot. They look a little past their best, but still perfectly edible.

“How about some toast with honey, and some berries on the side?”

Maisy nods happily.

“Do you want to do a wee first, or have breakfast first?”

She takes a moment to think. “Wee first! Aunty K, I wee first.”

“Good choice.” I wink at her as I put the fruit back in the fridge. “Race you to the bathroom!”

Maisy rushes out of the kitchen and thunders up the stairs ahead of me. I take an extra moment to grab her suitcase from the front door on my way, so she has her toothbrush and clothes, and when I reach the bathroom, Maisy is ready to wash her hands. I flush for her and lead her to the sink, then turn on the tap.

“Wow, you’re like Super Speedy Girl today, Maisy Pop!”

“Ifast,” she declares. “It Roger. He got magic power.”

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