“How do you get off level eighteen?” Max/Tyler asked Max/Tyler, leaning over him/her in the back seat, and knocking his/her headset off with a none-too-gentle swipe.
The other kid didn’t take his or her eyes off the screen. “Dunno. Not up to there, yet.”
“It’s fuckin’ impossible.”
Nicole whacked the steering wheel. “Max!”
“You say it all the time, Mum.”
Nicole glanced at Jamie. “Do not.”
“Have you tried casting the Spell of Revelation?” Samira said.
In the middle seat, Max was staring at Samira like she was speaking another language.
“On the Orb of Knowing,” Samira continued. “Inside the Hall of Shadows. Here, let me show you. It’s been a while since I’ve played but...” She reached over and swiped and tapped. “There, you see?”
“Mint,” Max said. “Do you playAge of Truth?”
“Used to.”
“I’m screwed on that one, too.” He—at least Jamie figured he was probably the boy—did some more swiping. “I get this far and them I’m well stuck.”
“Can I have a go?” Samira said. “I’ll see if I remember. I know I’ve got up to level thirty. You guys are into old-school games.”
“That’s because our tablets are shite and Mum’s too skint to let us upgrade.”
Nicole rolled her eyes at Jamie. He gave what he hoped was a sympathetic look. He’d liked them better when they were shorter and worshipped him. After a few minutes, Samira was playing and chatting away like she was their age, whatever that was. Twelve? Thirteen? He really was a shite uncle. The kids had even unplugged their headphones.
“Maybe that’s what I need to do,” Nicole whispered, under the volume of the chatter and game music, “rather than trying to force them to play football or Monopoly with me. Admit defeat. I’m always trying to get them off the fuckin’ tablets.” She glanced at the mirror. “Is she your girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Is that a ‘No, I’m just screwing her’ kind of no, or a ‘No, she’s married’ kind of no, or a ‘No, I’m in love with her but she’s too sensible to date a schmuck like me’ kind of no?”
He laughed. “Mostly just the last one. With a side serving of ‘No, I’m not selfish enough to drag anybody down to my level.’”
She raised her eyebrows in a faux-impressed look, like she was surprised at his level of self-awareness.
“Nic, I know I’ve royally fucked up things.” Shite, it really was the day for apologizing for his shortcomings.
She returned her gaze to the road. “I’m glad you’ve made peace with yourself.”
“Wouldn’t go that far.”
“Good.”
“You know I was in no state to stay after the thing in London, and then when Dad died...”
“I wish I’d had the luxury of the choice.”
He ran his fingertips through his hair, his shoulder complaining at being raised. The heaviness in his chest suggested he’d well and truly sobered up.
He realized the back seat had fallen quiet. He stole a look. Samira quickly averted her eyes. How much had she heard?
Nicole lapsed into silence, but even after they’d spent their adult years apart, he could read her thoughts like a book.When are you going to grow up and come home?
She was right—he’d gladly left her to take charge when their father died. He’d told himself that sending money to cover his mother’s needs was the best way he could help, that Nicole was better at that logistical stuff. She hadn’t let on that her marriage was falling apart but he should have noticed, like he should have noticed his father’s failing health. If he hadn’t been so fucking self-absorbed... And he hadn’t known that next time he saw her kids they wouldn’t be kids anymore.
