‘I noticed.’ Sorrel grinned. ‘I never actually managed one of those.’ She glanced down ruefully at her own slim figure.
‘So,’ I said, pointedly, ‘you OK with moving all your things to Kamran’s place?’
‘Have youseenKamran’s place?’ Sorrel’s eyes were wide. ‘Well, of course you have. Jess, I’ve my own little set of rooms in the granny flat he apparently built for his mother.’
‘Shirl the Pearl? You’ve not met her yet then?’
‘Well, Shirl says she’s going nowhere but her own bed, and Kamran can “stick his granny flat where the sun don’t shine” apparently! Says she might consider moving in with Kamran when she’s ninety and got no teeth. So, meanwhile,Iget my own ensuite and actual walk-in wardrobe. It’s amazing… Of course, Jayden’s totally put out that I’m moving out and under another man’s roof. Says I’m deserting him, betraying him…’
Sorrel and I snorted derisively in unison at that. ‘Dog in the manger,’ I said. ‘How can you be deserting him when he’s been moreoutof your life thanin it?’
‘Amazing really that we three have all turned out so well,’ Sorrel said contemplatively, reaching for a glass and filling it at the tap.
‘Well, I’ve had my doubts aboutyouthese past few years. You’ve not been the easiest for Mum to bring up by herself, you know. Especially when she was ill.’ I threw Sorrel a look.
‘I know, I know.’ Sorrel patted my arm. ‘But she had you to help. It’s been a bit like having two mums with you next door, Jess, always checking up on me.’
‘Somebody had to…’ I said tartly.
‘You’ve never stopped, have you? Fostering kids, working up at Hudson House, trying to start up your own outside catering business… as well as bringing up Lola and always wondering what – or who – Dean was up to next. I think we should rename you Saint Jess. Saint Jess of Beddingfield village.’
‘That makes me sound a right boring old fart.’ I gave Sorrel a look.
‘Well, I do think you need to get out more. And now that Dean is going to move in next door…’
‘He’snot! And what I’ve done these past few years has kept me busy,’ I replied shortly, embarrassed as always at any praise being handed down in my direction.
‘You need him to help with Lola,’ Sorrel went on.
‘So,’ I said, in an effort to get the conversation off me, ‘how are you actually feeling about it all?’
‘Going to London? If I’m homesick and can’t sleep at this new school, I’ll have to go to Matron and demand Night Nurse to knock me out.’
I laughed at that.
‘And by my not being next door,’ Sorrel went on, ‘you’re more likely to let Joel have your box room.’
‘Oh no! No… no…!’
‘I mean, if I’m no longer going to be next door during the school holidays, but actually up at Kamran’s place being supervised by Mum as usual, you won’t be worrying that Joel and I are… you know…’
‘I know.’ I gave Sorrel a hard stare. ‘I’m assuming you’ve been sensible about… you know…’
‘I do know.’ Sorrel smiled. ‘Look, you’ve met Joel now, after months of hearing all about him. Do you like him?’ Sorrel’s face showed just how much she wanted my approval. ‘Honestly, Jess, he’s been through it with all this gang stuff and being attacked. He just wants a quiet life. Do his GCSEs and then…’
‘And then?’
‘I dunno. I mean, obviously he just wants to dance, but…’ She broke off, shrugging her shoulders.
I understood exactly. The kid had a dream. Didn’t we all?
‘Anyway, he’s housetrained…’
‘Lovely table manners,’ I conceded. ‘Broke his bread roll beautifully, butter on his side plate, instead of cutting it into two and slathering it with butter.’
‘You’ve always had a thing about the correct way to break and butter a bread roll, haven’t you? That’s the test of suitability for you, is it?’ Sorrel tutted but then laughed, turning to put her arms round me. ‘Anyway,’ she breathed into my ear, ‘Joel would be no trouble. He’d be out of the house, out from under your feet and revising in the library at school. His social workers will keep an eye on him as well. He doesn’t leave the loo seat up…’
‘Dean did.’
