Page 86 of The Perfect Son
“Hi,” I say to Mel, pulling my cheeks up wide into what I hope is a happy face rather than the awkward grimace that it feels like. There’s something familiar about Mel and I wonder if or when we might’ve met before.
“Hi, Tess. Nice to meet you. This is my daughter, Indra.” She turns to Indra. “Say hi to Tess.”
Indra is a younger version of Mel, with the same O-shaped eyes and sharp features. She’s wearing a faux fur jacket over a black T-shirt which skims her belly button. Her long, dark hair is twisted into two plaits that dangle down her shoulders.
Indra looks up at me and lifts her hand in a brief wave. “Hi,” shesays, showing a large gap in the center of her mouth where her two front baby teeth used to be.
My smile softens. “Hello.”
I turn to introduce Jamie but he’s already stepped out from behind me and is whispering something in Indra’s ear.
Jamie looks up with cheeks flushed red and gives a sheepish wave to Mel. Mel must sense his shyness because she plays it casual and doesn’t say anything. Instead she smiles at Jamie and then at me as Jamie and Indra set off into the hordes of shoppers.
Only when we’re moving do I glance at Mel out of the corner of my eye. It takes a long second for recognition to hit me, and now it’s my face burning crimson thinking of the afternoon a few weeks ago when I perched on the redbrick wall waiting for Jamie to finish school. The receptionist who came out to talk to me with concern drawn on her face was Mel.
“I think we’ve met, actually,” I say, hoping to make light of my embarrassment.
Mel nods, her black hair bobbing up and down. “I was just thinking that myself.”
“It was outside the school the other week. I was early.” I shake my head. “Sorry for dashing off. I was so embarrassed. My timekeeping has been dreadful recently.” My throat tightens and I change the subject before Mel can ask why. I wonder if Shelley has told her about Mark. “I didn’t realize you worked at the school. Are you a teacher?”
“I’m a receptionist.” Mel flicks a glance to Shelley. There’s a look on Mel’s face that I can’t read, and I wonder if I’m talking too much. “But I don’t actually—”
“Mum,” Indra cuts in, making the one syllable word into three. “Can we go to Claire’s?” Indra and Jamie are already inching closer to the shop.
“Debenhams first, OK?” Mel nods. “You need some new clothes before we spend any money on accessories in Claire’s.” Mel tugs at Indra’s top, pulling it down and receiving a scowl from her daughter.
Indra tucks her hands into her pockets, one arm looped with Jamie’s as the pair walk ahead once more. I’ve never seen Jamie with a girl before, and the sight of them together makes me smile. He’s always gravitated toward boys his own age, but he seems so content arm in arm with Indra.
“I sometimes feel like I’ve kept that bloody shop afloat over the last decade, the amount I’ve spent in there.” Mel smirks, jabbing a finger at Claire’s as we pass.
I fall into step with Mel and Shelley and try to keep up with the rapid-fire conversation they’re having about a mutual friend. Every few steps one or the other glances over to me, trying to include me, I guess, but it doesn’t work. I just feel watched. Jealousy grates my insides. Not just for Mel and Shelley, but for Indra and Jamie too.
You were my person, Mark. The one I always wanted to talk to first. I let my old friends slip away after we met. I didn’t need them anymore. I had you, and now I have no one.
There’s a blast of heat from above our heads as we step through the doors of Debenhams. Red banners are hanging down from the high ceilings and the staff are wearing red T-shirts. Both have the wordSALEacross them in large white writing.
The shop floor is busier than the street outside and people are budging me left and right on their way in and out of the doors. Shelley and Mel are drawn as if by magnets to the perfume counter, and I follow them.
It’s too busy.
Too noisy.
I can feel the panic return, swooping through me.
Something is about to happen, like I’m hurtling toward danger without the first clue what it is or how I can stop it. My eyes are glued to Jamie and Indra as they weave around a pushchair to the makeup stands.
Shelley turns toward me. “Here, smell this?” She thrusts her wrist to my nose. The overbearing musky sweetness of the scent stings my eyes.
“It’s the new Chanel. I might get some.” Shelley is talking in a wistful sort of way. “You know, make a change.”
Mel leans in and says something and they both laugh, but I don’t listen, I don’t hear. Someone is tapping my shoulder and when I turn around, it’s Ian.
“Tess, hi.” Ian looks beyond me to Mel and Shelley.
“Hi,” I reply, my mind spinning. It’s no coincidence that he is here, surely? Is he following me?
“Hi,” Shelley says, moving closer. I catch the perfume on her wrist again. Sweat tickles my upper lip. The heat of the store and the caustic scent of the perfume counter are scratching at my lungs.
