Page 76 of Happily Never After
‘Oh, she’s OK. Do you like her?’
‘I’ve already told you I like her, Liv. She’s a good match for you and I can see why she makes you happy.’
‘Yes, I know. I just want to make sure that you’re still all right about her though. You don’t feel left out?’
‘I’m fine.’ In truth, Liv has been so keen to make sure I don’t feel like the third wheel that she’s overcompensated if anything. ‘Just relax. I like her; I think she likes me. The only person who’s unhappy with the current state of affairs is Meg here, and I’m going to fix that.’
‘I told Donna that you were thinking about sending Meg back to daycare, and she’s delighted.’
‘I think it’s the right decision. I just resent paying for other people to look after Meg when it should be my job. But I get that she’s mainly Collie and needs more stimulation than I can provide. I don’t know, Liv. I feel like I’ve failed her a bit.’
‘Nonsense. You’re doing everything you can for her. Top dog mum of the year, that’s you. Anyway, have I won the bet?’
‘No, because I didn’t accept it.’
‘Only because it would have cost you a fiver.’
‘Fine. No, I haven’t written anything for the last hour.’
‘Just message the boy, will you? Put us all out of our misery.’
‘That’s not the reason I haven’t written anything.’
‘Bollocks. You’ve been sitting here trying to decide and procrastinating as usual. Just do it.’
‘Argh. OK. You’ve worn me down. I’ll message him now, OK?’
‘Good.’ She settles herself on the bed.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Watching.’
‘Umm, no? These things are private.’
‘They are for normal people, but you need supervision.’
‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ I growl, snatching up the phone. To be honest, the message is easy because I’ve spent so long thinkingabout what to say, not that I’m going to admit that to Liv. Having tried lots of different options, I’ve gone for something that I hope sounds casual enough not to frighten him, while making it clear I’m expecting him to reply.
Hi Finn. Just checking in to see whether you’ve heard anything from the TV people? I’m back in the UK – escaped the Double-Doubles!! xx
‘There. Happy now?’ I say, showing her the screen once I’ve sent it.
‘Ecstatic. I’ll be even more ecstatic when he replies.’
‘He hasn’t replied,’ I complain later that afternoon. I’ve given up trying to write anything as I’ve been fixated on my phone.
‘Has he seen it?’
‘Nope.’
‘Maybe he’s in meetings or something.’
‘Or maybe he lost his phone and this isn’t his number any more. Or maybe it was stolen and I’m actually messaging the new owner in China or wherever the phone is now.’
‘Maybe he’s been eaten by a shark, or abducted by aliens,’ Liv observes wryly.
‘Stop taking the piss.’
