Page 13 of The Way We Fell

Roger, for his part, is sitting on the carpet just outside the open bathroom door. He’s not allowed into the bathroom at Amie’s house, for fear of him being dropped or dirtied, and that rule has extended to my house, as well as her grandparents’ homes, and Ruth’s and Paloma’s flats when she visits them, too.

“Magic powers?” I lower my voice. “Does that meanyouhave magic powers, too?”

Maisy cackles again. “You funny, Aunty K.”

“You’re funny, Miss Mae.” I tickle her belly lightly before helping her dry her hands. “Do you want to brush your teeth and get dressed before breakfast, or have breakfast first?”

“Umm… breakfast first!”

“Good choice! Race ya!”

Maisy grabs Roger and plops down on the top step, before bouncing down each step in turn on her bottom, laughing the whole way. I follow, shaking my head. As Maisy eats, I text both Amie and Cam to fill them in on their daughter’s antics. Neither one of them responds—Amie is already flying, and it’s the middle of the night in Philadelphia, where Cam is finishing his final trip of his working block before coming home to spend a couple of weeks with his family.

Sometime around mid-morning, Maisy is curled up on the armchair with her tablet, watching her favourite cartoon. Twin dinosaurs, Dylan and Dandy, are busy digging a tunnel to the other side of the world. We’ve already drawn several pictures and completed a jigsaw puzzle, and I’m wiping down the surfaces in the kitchen when I hear my phone buzz on the counter.

ROO

My boss is an absolute knobweasel

@Katy @Lolo are either of u free? I am soooo done with work today

Lolo

i’ve got a shoot in 20 mins but free after lunch if u wanna hang

Katy

I have Maisy but you’re welcome to come over and join us. We’re watching Dylan and Dandy. Might do a jigsaw later.

ROO

OMG my faves. Be there soon. Pop the kettle on sis.

Katy

I’ll do one better. I’ve got those fancy latte pods.

Caramel or french vanilla?

ROO

Caramel pls LOVE YOU

I stuff my phone into the pocket of my cardigan before preparing my coffee maker for Ruth. Her flat is a fifteen minute drive from my house if there’s no traffic, so I won’t bother switching the machine on until she’s almost here. She texts me a picture of herself in her car with her tongue sticking out, and Maisy takes great delight in posing with me for the selfie I send in return. I time it perfectly, and by the time Ruth knocks in a cheerful rhythm on my door, the coffee is just about ready.

“Hey Maisy, Aunty Roo is here!”

“Yay, Aunty Roo!” Maisy barrels towards the door, dancing impatiently as she waits for me to catch up and open it.

“Maisy!”

“Aunty Roo!”

Ruth sweeps Maisy into her arms and presses big, noisy kisses to her cheeks as she carries her into the living room.

“Hello to you too, Roo,” I laugh, following behind them with Ruth’s coffee.

“Hi, Sweet Thing.” Ruth pulls me into a side-hug before flopping dramatically onto the sofa. While Maisy is distracted by dinosaur antics, Ruth leans over and speaks out of the side of her mouth.

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