Page 115 of Untether

I’m about to pick up my kids.

With my dreamy, sweetboyfriend.

‘Why, Aida. Hi there.’

The fawning voice of Lucinda, one of the more self-righteous moms, and the expectant tone of her greeting have me turning away from the kiss. She’s with a gaggle of her friends-slash-minions towards the back of the line, and they’re all staring at Cal like he’s a snow leopard I’ve stolenfrom the zoo and am parading around Pembridge Square on a leash.

‘Hi there,’ I say.

We all stand awkwardly.

‘So you’re hanging out with your… co-star,’ she says. ‘That’s nice.’

‘Um—’ I begin, having no earthly clue what else to say.

‘Co-star?’ Cal says, a broad grin on his face. He lets go of my hand and throws his arm around my shoulder in what feels like a deeply possessive gesture. ‘Aww, that’s sweet. Are you familiar with the show?’

He just broke School Gates Rule number one.

Never call anyone’s bluff.

If I didn’t already love him, I would now.

‘I—’ Lucinda is a goldfish whose water supply is dwindling fast. ‘Well, actually…’

‘I mean, obviously there’s not much to see yet,’ he says, winking at Celeste, another mom who’s staring at him like she’s on a juice cleanse and he’s a big fat spaghetti carbonara. ‘But you need to tune in when it airs.’ His gaze drops to her left hand, which is rammed full of diamond eternity rings. ‘It’sveryeducational. It might be something to watch with your husband. Or with the girls, if you feel more comfortable. Ladies’ Night? You know what I’m saying? You’re all exactly the kind of women Aida and her team are targeting with this. Right, baby?’

For once in my largely articulate life, I cannot actually form a sentence.

Lucinda rallies admirably quickly. ‘We really don’t watch much TV at home. There’s far too much to do.’

‘Tell me about it,’ Cal says. ‘Aida and I are usually getting stuck in at my club when we’re not with the boys. Aren’t we, sweetheart? But we’ll also be running a huge social mediacampaign around the documentary to educate more women on how to take ownership of their sex lives, whether they’re single or married. You might be able to fit in the odd “tidbit” between commitments.’

He draws out the wordtidbit, making it sound downright creepy, and it’s funny as fuck. Lucinda stares at him in horror. I think he’s broken her brain with his verbal diarrhoea, and I feel a vague sympathy for her. But he’s reeling Celeste in faster than you can saybalaclava.

‘So, have you two been filming today, then?’ she asks, waggling her finger coyly between us.

‘We’ve pretty much wrapped,’ I tell her.

‘No, just hanging out,’ Cal says. ‘Getting to know each other, you know? Sometimes it’s healthy to take it out of the bedroom for short periods. Anyway, great to meet you all. Thanks for the support. Hope the programme gives you some inspiration!’

74

CAL

When I turn up at Aida’s house to collect her for Rafe’s engagement party, it’s with an overnight bag and two VR headsets. It’s less meanness that’s stopped me from leaving the gaming stuff here before for the boys to enjoy than a solid appreciation for how much leverage they represent.

Aida’s all dressed up, looking ravishing in a slinky red dress that matches her lips. I kiss her gently to avoid ruining them and follow her into the kitchen, where Kit and Pip are eating their supper.

‘Hi,’ Pip says, but Kit blurts out, ‘Did you bring the Quests?’

‘That’s very rude,’ Aida scolds. ‘Greet our guest properly, please.’

He sighs. ‘Hi, Cal.’ There’s a brief pause during which I’m pretty sure he’s mentally counting, and then he repeats in a rush, ‘Did you bring the Quests?’

‘Hiya, guys,’ I say. ‘Good to see you. Yeah, I did. They’re in the hallway.’

‘Awesome,’ Kit hisses with a glance in that direction, like he might bolt if he thinks he can get away with it.

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