Noah came into reception looking for her and she waved to indicate she’d be there in a minute.
‘I have to go, Mum.’
‘Mince pies,’ Nadia announced as she was next to appear. She set a big platter onto the counter. ‘Help yourselves.’
Fiona lowered her voice. ‘I don’t know why you won’t talk to Malcolm; he could help. I know he’s not your dad, but?—’
‘I heard you that day I came over.’
It dawned on Fiona what she meant. ‘Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?’ She stood up when Bess did, fastened the top button of her coat.
‘He must think I’m a terrible person,’ said Bess.
‘Love, he doesn’t. He saw you come to your mother for help. He has his own children; he’d do anything for them. He understands.’
‘Mince pies!’ Nadia urged again when nobody made a move to take one.
‘I don’t think you’re going to get out of here without indulging.’ Bess kissed her mum on the cheek and wrapped her in a hug. ‘I really appreciate the loan; I’ll call the Citizens Advice Bureau.’ But she didn’t mention Malcolm and neither did her mum this time. ‘Now take a mince pie before Nadia loses it.’
And she did the same on her way out to join the others in the office.
They had four more jobs before end of shift and by the time Bess grabbed her things from her locker, she was exhausted. But not so tired she didn’t notice Maya ushering Noah out of the locker room to leave the two of them alone.
‘Subtle,’ said Bess.
‘Yeah, sorry about that. But I’m here, I have time to talk so hit me with it. Leave nothing out.’
‘Maya, I’m fine, honestly.’
‘No, no way. You are not leaving this room until you tell me.’ She put her finger in the air as if she’d thought of something. ‘It’s Gio, isn’t it? I heard from Noah who heard from a buddy of Gio’s that you have been seeing him.’
Bess began to laugh. ‘I haven’t been seeing him. We’re friends, remember.’
‘So you say. But tell me this… has he asked you out?’
‘He might have mentioned dinner.’
Maya was excited at the prospect. ‘Well, good for him.’
Bess pulled her coat out of her locker but Maya hadn’t finished. ‘I want to ask you more about Gio but I know full well that isn’t what is on your mind, at least not all of it.’
Bess thought about resisting it but instead, she sat down, coat on her lap, and spilled it all, every last bit of it: the spending, the bills, the credit cards, the loans.
‘Shit, no wonder your mind has been all over the place. You need solutions, my girl. If I had enough money myself, I’d give you a loan.’
‘No, I don’t want to borrow off any friends.’
‘Come on, back to my place with me. I’m cooking and we’re going to talk this through.’
Bess picked up her bag. ‘I don’t want Noah?—’
‘He’s at his tonight with Eva; I was having an early night. But I’d rather spend the evening with you.’
‘I’m not a charity case.’
Maya gave her a look.
‘All right, I need all the help I can get.’
