‘I’ve got a gig tomorrow night,’ he said, ‘but what about Sunday? Let’s go for a walk somewhere.’
She was silent.
‘Please…’ he persisted.
‘All right.’
They said their goodbyes.
Now he needed to find somewhere to live.
The next day, Will parked the van outside his parents’ house and walked up the path to the front door. It felt weird to ring the doorbell instead of using his key. Reu opened the door.
‘Hi,’ said Will. ‘You all set for the gig?’
‘Yeah.’ Reu shuffled from foot to foot, his hands deep in his pockets. ‘Do you want to come in?’
‘Nah, just open the garage door and we’ll load the van.’
‘I think your mum wants to speak to you.’
‘Is Dad in?’
‘No.’
‘Okay, why don’t you start loading the van?’ He gave Reu the keys. ‘I’ll be out in a minute.’
Will found his mum sitting in the lounge; she looked tired.
‘Where did you stay last night?’ she asked.
‘Matty’s.’
There was silence for a moment, then she said, ‘I can’t believe you would chooseherover our family.’
‘I’m twenty-three. I shouldn’t be living with my parents at my age. It’s about time I moved out.’
‘I want you to know,’ she said, her tone serious and solemn, ‘if you’re ever in trouble, despite what your father says, you always have a home here. And when you’re finished with her––’
‘Mum––’
‘You think that won’t happen, but it will. So – when you’re finished with her – let’s put all this behind us and be a family again.’
‘I’m an adult. I get to decide who I want to be with.’
‘Well, remember what I said – you can always come to me.’
‘Thanks Mum, I love you.’
He kissed the top of her head and went through to the garage to help Reu.
While Reu put his kit in the back, Will went to the passenger side of the van, where Matty was waiting.
Matty wound the window down. ‘What’s up?’
‘I think you’re going to have to drive, mate,’ said Will.
‘You okay?’