‘But who?—?’
‘Your landlord guy. He got my number from the contract. Remember? I’m your guarantor. And from what he said, your friends are just fine. Worried about you, if anything.’
‘Oh. Well, he shouldn’t have. I’m sorting things.’
‘Yes, it really seems like it.’
They both looked at the tangled mess of food and clothing, toiletries and packing that littered the room. Then at each other. Then, as if some invisible agreement had passed between them, both began to laugh.
‘The state of this place!’
‘Looks better than the state of my life!’ Bella’s own remark dampened her laughter.
‘Talking of being someone’s mum, where’s Ty? Who’s looking after him?’ she said suddenly.
Kitty tilted her head. ‘I do have a husband, remember?’
‘He’s babysitting?’
‘He’sparenting. It’s not like—’ Kitty sighed, sat down on the bed as if devoid of energy. ‘Not all dads are like— well, like ours. Stu does his bit.’
‘I know.’
‘Dad was always a bit… hands off, even before Mum. But I mean Stu isn’t— He’s not reluctant about it, not resentful. Doesn’t have to be told what to do. He’s a father. It makes me think about Dad. How little he gave us. Not money, I mean – we’re quite lucky in that way… but of himself. I don’t feel that we ever really knew him, not properly.’
Bella was silent. Then, ‘You’re right,’ she said.
‘Not all families are like that. I’ve realised that now even more.’
Bella nodded.
‘It affects me too, you know,’ Kitty said. ‘The Dad stuff. I know he came to my wedding, but it was only down the road from him. There was no… effort. But he never remembers Ty’s birthday, forgets him at Christmas. Sends money when he remembers… but?—’
‘That’s awful.’
‘I know. I don’t mind so much when it’s me. But… I mean, it’s Ty!’
‘Poor kid.’
‘Yeah.’ Kitty shook her head. ‘Look, I didn’t come to talk about Dad, obviously. But I do think maybe having the father we had— it makes it hard to rely on anyone, doesn’t it? But I think your friends here, they can help. Brad, especially. He seems desperate to try.’
It was hard not to smile a little. ‘I know.’ Bella said. She shook her head. ‘Just— I can’t. I’m just going to go home. If you’ll let me.’
‘Of course,’ Kitty nodded. ‘You’re always welcome. But come because you want to. Not because you’re running away. Not because you’re afraid.’
‘Afraid?’
Kitty turned slightly so they were facing each other properly, still sitting on the soft duvet. ‘Bella, I know you. If you run away from this now, you won’t ever feel OK about it. Remember what we said? After Dad?’
‘I knew you were going to say that.’
‘Remember?’
Bella sighed; a schoolgirl caught out and forced to toe the party line. ‘We’d never abandon our responsibilities like he did.’
Kitty nodded.
‘But this isn’t the same! I’ve been asked to leave. Claudine told me it was over.’
