She could hear murmurings downstairs but not enough to make out what was being said. Still, at least it meant her sister was talking to their aunt.
When her phone pinged, she picked it up. It was Isaac sending a message via Maurie.
Miss you, Mummy… Is it good on the island? Was the boat fast or slow?
I’ve built a boat out of Lego, but Grandad says it might fall apart if I put it in water. Will it?
Love from Isaac x
She picked up her phone and dialled Maurie’s number for a video call, and sure enough Maurie picked up within four rings.
‘You’re in your pyjamas,’ said Maurie with a smile.
‘Guilty.’
‘Isaac is busy right now,’ Maurie said more quietly. ‘Can we call you later on? He’s been baking and once that’s done – if it ever gets done – we’re off to the swimming pool before my dentist’s appointment.’
‘It sounds like you’re busy.’ And they were baking? All of a sudden, she wished she was right there, helping her son to tie on his apron, making him wash his hands and watching how excited he got at the prospect of turning raw ingredients into something special.
‘Wait a minute,’ said Addie, ‘I didn’t pack his swim things.’
‘We’ll buy him a pair of trunks and some goggles at the pool. They aren’t expensive and he’ll have a spare set then. Mind you, he’ll probably outgrow them soon enough.’
‘Thank you, Maurie. You’re really so good to him. You could’ve said no about the swimming.’ She didn’t have to ask to know how it had likely gone down. Maurie and Jarrett probably asked what he wanted to do that day, and baking and swimming were likely top of the list.
‘We just love having him, Addie. Any time. You know that.’
‘I do.’
‘Are you all right?’
Addie thought she’d hidden her longing for her son behind her smile well enough, but clearly not. ‘I just miss him, that’s all.’
‘Of course you do.’ Maurie knew her so well.
‘I think I’ll be all right. Seeing him and talking to him helps.’ Video calls would hopefully keep her going until it came time to return home, although that might come sooner if they decided not to hang around for the living funeral.
‘Addie, I’ll have to get Isaac to speed up or by the time we leave the traffic will be abominable.’
Maurie had used the word ‘abominable’ in front of Isaac a few weeks ago and Isaac had latched on to it. He’d wanted to know all about the abominable snowman and Addie had had to resort to Google as she had no idea what to tell him.
Isaac’s voice rang out in the background, asking whether it was Mummy on the phone. There was some rustling and shuffling around until Maurie finally angled the phone in front of Isaac who was wearing an apron and had flour on his cheeks.
‘What are you making?’ she asked her excited little boy.
‘Pie!’ Isaac declared.
‘What sort?’
‘Apple.’
‘And blackberry,’ Maurie added in the background.
‘Well, it sounds delicious.’
‘I’m allowed to eat some, but only after swimming.’
‘That’s fair enough.’
