“Of course,” smiled Tasha. “Is everything okay?”
“As far as I know,” Mike replied as he took charge of the trolley and pushed it out towards the car.
Once they were all safely ensconced in the car and heading home, Tasha, who was sitting up front with Mike asked, “Where is Jim?”
“I don’t know, Tasha. I don’t know anything except for the fact that he was planning to pick you up himself and then about an hour ago he asked me to collect you in his place then he headed off with the message for you to put your phone on,” he explained looking down at the phone that was still switched off in her hand.
“Sorry.” Tasha felt she’d put Mike in an awkward position, again.
“I’ll forgive you, so long as you switch that phone on.” Mike was quite serious.
Tasha smiled and did as he asked. She found a couple of messages waiting for her.
Tasha thought hissomething has come upwas both cryptic and vague. She considered her response.
She was beyond furious at the notion that Mickie was in anyway more important than her and Lizzie and could think of no reason good enough for his choice, hence the omission of the kiss. “Dickhead,” she muttered angrily but Mike still heard it.
“Are you okay?” Mike looked across at her concerned.
“Mmm, yes, fine,” she replied and realised that they had reached home when the gates opened and she heard gasps from Dan and Pippa as they saw just where their big sister was now living.
“Wow, this is amazing,” cried Dan.
“It’s like something from a magazine. Can I move in here too?” asked Pippa excitedly.
Tasha offered no response but smiled across at Mike.
Philip and Juan appeared as they pulled up to the front of the house where Tasha disappeared beneath their embraces, giggling until they came up for air.
“Boys, this is my brother Dan and my sister Pippa. You two this is Jim’s son, Philip and his boyfriend Juan.”
Lizzie was wedged between the two boys as they exchanged pleasantries with Dan and Pippa before they ascended the steps to the front door and let themselves in. Tasha began organising them all to take their cases upstairs and was suddenly aware that she had no idea which rooms Dan and Pippa would be staying in so was relieved when Sandra appeared behind her in spite it being her day off.
