‘She’s really, really charming to anyone her level or higher, but anyone less important .?.?.’ Maggie didn’t need to finish that sentence – they both knew how Marisha treated those she perceived as inferior.
Cassie couldn’t help wondering where Finn featured on that scale.
* * *
When Cassie pushed open the door into the apartment at the end of a long day, instead of the previous hush, she was met with high hilarity. Mam was sitting on the armchair, holding forth about her wedding plans, while Louise was perched on the end of the sofa, now looking visibly pregnant. God, pregnant women were following her everywhere, Cassie thought, but then quickly dismissed that and hugged Louise warmly, genuinely delighted to see her.
Mam was on top form. ‘Go on, Ramona, try it on. I think pink is a great colour on you, it throws light on your face.’ She was tactful enough not to mention the heavy bruising across her forehead and one cheek that was morphing from green to brown. Ramona dutifully slipped into the crocheted bedjacket, looking so incongruous that Cassie could barely contain her giggles.
‘What do you think?’
‘It shows a whole other side of you, Ramona,’ observed Louise with her usual tact.
‘It’s a little old-fashioned but these things come back in, sure, you see it every day,’ said Mam optimistically.
‘That is one hundred per cent true,’ agreed Louise, which made Mam glow.
‘So, tell us all about this wedding.’ Louise had a marvellous way with mothers, and Cassie dreaded being compared to her pretty friend, who seemed to have achieved everything Mam would wish for in a daughter.
‘We’re having a wedding arch and a marquee in the garden. When it’s not your first time, we-ell, you want to keep things simple.’
This was a complete fantasy. ‘Mam’ and ‘simple’ inhabited two totally separate universes.
‘So .?.?. spill the beans, what’s your dress like, Iris?’ said Ramona.
Mam lit up. ‘Secret, it’s a secret, and so are the bridesmaids’ dresses,ifsomebody would actually get it together and get them organised.’
Cassie cringed. ‘I’ll talk to you about that later,’ she muttered.
Shortly afterwards, Louise excused herself on the pretext of having to make her husband’s dinner, even though Cassie knew she was likely going home to an empty house. Mam happily agreed to go down in the lift with her.
Once the door closed behind them, Cassie and Ramona looked at each other.
‘You’re so lucky. Your mom is great.’
‘Maybe. She lives in her own little version of reality, and other people just seem to go along with it. Maybe that’s the secret to a happy life.’
‘How’s the job?’
‘Unspeakably shit. I’ve decided to leave on Friday, so that’ll be something to celebrate.’
‘Attagirl, no job’s worth that. It’ll all work out, you’ll see.’ They smiled bravely at each other.
* * *
That night, in bed, she texted Finn.
Can’t wait to see u. Need to talk. Had enough of that poxy school. Leaving on Friday.
Brave girl, proud of u wish I was with you now.
Me too. Miss you.
Night night
?
She clicked off her phone and turned over. Still, the feeling of emptiness stayed with her. Was this what was in store for her? Nights alone, longing for their next snatched moment together.
