Page 47 of The Life Experiment
Layla nudged her sister. ‘Take the compliment.’
‘Fine, but I’ll let you in on my secret. Don’t let anyone who says they never let their child have screen time fool you. This is my motherhood hack.’ With that, Maya flicked on the TV. A riot of colour and puppets filled the screen, entrancing Jayden straightaway.
Layla laughed. ‘It’s that easy?’
‘Well, it works for a while. Long enough to give you a moment of peace, at least.’
‘Maybe I need to distract you with the TV. You talk more than anyone I know,’ Layla teased.
‘Someone’s got to be the social sibling.’
Just then, Layla’s phone buzzed on the coffee table. She reached for it, but Maya got there first.
‘Although I hear you’re being uncharacteristically sociable these days.’ Maya smirked when she saw who was contacting her sister. ‘Angus, huh? That’s, what, the millionth text today?’
‘Very funny.’ Layla reached for her phone, but Maya continued to hold it hostage.
‘Is he funny? A funny man, is that the kind of guy you’re after?’
‘Behave, Maya. We’re just talking.’
‘Just talking? Is that what they call it down in London? Around here we call it falling in love.’
‘Shut up,’ Layla said, shoving her sister, but she couldn’t fight her smile. While Maya’s description of their exchange wasn’t quite accurate – this wasn’t Angus’s millionth text, not yet – the latest message wasn’t their first of the day, and Layla knew it wouldn’t be their last. Talking to Angus had become as much a part of her life as breathing. In fact, talking to Angus felt like the only time Layla could breathe.
Trust you to find someone who makes you feel alive, just as you’re about to die.
As soon as the thought appeared, Layla reminded herself of her vow. Angus would be her friend, no more, no less. It was all they ever could be.
But as Maya handed over Layla’s phone and she opened their exchange, Layla suddenly hated the ‘friend’ label she had insisted on.
How is today going? Are you still a dinosaur? x
I am. *roars* I think I have bitten everything in sight… x
Hey, no judgement here. I don’t kink shame x
As Layla giggled, Maya rolled her eyes. ‘My God, this is sickening. It’s like living with a lovestruck teenager,’ she teased. ‘Who is he, anyway?’
Ducking behind a curtain of her hair, Layla shrugged. ‘Just a guy.’
‘That’s it? “A guy”, that’s all you’re going to tell me?’
‘There’s not much more to say. He’s someone I met a few weeks ago, that’s all.’
‘But you’re Layla. You don’t meet guys.’
Layla tried not to be hurt, but Maya’s honesty highlighted how much of life she had missed out on over the years, and it stung.
‘Where did you meet him, anyway?’ Maya asked, trying to peek at Layla’s messages.
‘At a coffee shop.’
‘Nice. A real meet-cute.’
‘If you want it to be, yeah.’
Maya shot her sister a sideways glance. ‘That’s really all I get? Angus is a guy from a coffee shop. A guy you talk to all the time, giggling and keeping Mum and Dad up all night.’
