Page 20 of Perfect Wives
Magnolia Mums WhatsApp Group
Tuesday, 7 October, 6.00 p.m.
Tasha
Voice note: So sorry, I’m running late. Just leaving now. Matilda started crying and that set Lanie off. God, I hope they’re OK when Marc leaves in a bit. I’m just walking up the close now. Be there in— Damn, I forgot the tablecloths. Sorry. Sorry. I’m going to be ten minutes.
Georgie
Don’t worry! I’ve only just got here, and Beth is running a few minutes behind too. There’s still an hour before people will arrive.
Beth
Do you think Keira will come?
Georgie
She did buy a ticket.
Tasha
But we haven’t seen her since. So weird!
10 DAYS EARLIER
Magnolia Mums WhatsApp Group
Wednesday, 8 October, 7.34a.m.
Georgie
Well done last night, ladies! I haven’t got the final numbers yet, but I think it’s our most successful quiz yet. We totally pulled that off.
Beth
Sorry I spent so long in the toilets with my morning sickness. Did Keira show?
Georgie
No!
Tasha
I know this is an awful thing to say, but I’m glad she didn’t come. I still feel like there was something really odd about that woman.
Beth
How did she even get Rowan a space in the year 3 class? It’s full.
ELEVEN
BETH
The evening the police arrive in the close is like any other. The sound of Alistair’s singing fills the house – a silly, made-up version of ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ that has Henry in hysterics in the bath. I always love this time of day. When Alistair rushes home from work, kicks off his shoes, scoops Henry straight into his arms and declares it, ‘Daddy bath time.’ And I’m banished downstairs to relax while he spends a precious hour with Henry before reading him a story and tucking him into bed.
There’s a break in the verse, and Alistair’s singing becomes a shout. ‘Beth – are you putting the dinner on?’
I glance down at the oven gloves in my hands and then the vegetable pot pie I made earlier. I should’ve known he’d want to do it after putting Henry to bed.
