‘Wow, we got out at the right time,’ says Erin.
As they watch the rain, something that’s been bothering Kate rises to the surface.
‘Do you think there’s something going on with Mum?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘It’s probably nothing, but I feel like she’s been less active in our group chat recently. And I haven’t seen her in a few days …’
‘Hmm, now I think about it, I haven’t spoken to her properly in a bit either. But I’m sure she’s just busy. Why don’t we call her right now for a chat?’
Erin has her phone out before Kate can protest or wonder too hard why she even wants to protest. She loves her mum. But she can’t shake the feeling that recently she’s been asking too much of her. She doesn’t want to become a burden.
Their mum answers after a few rings. It’s a video call and she looks a little flustered at first, as though she’s just woken from a nap, but quickly adjusts her face into a wide smile. ‘Hello, girls! How nice to see you together. Are you in a shed?’
‘Hi, Mum!’ says Erin cheerily. ‘We’re down by the river, but it’s pissing it down with rain so we’re taking shelter. Look.’
She turns the camera round so their mum can see the view.
‘Oh wow, it looks beautiful, even in the rain.’
‘Everything OK there?’ Kate asks once Erin has turned the camera round again.
‘Oh yes, everything is fine,’ she says brightly. ‘Brian sendshis love.’ Kate thinks she can hear her stepdad pottering about in the background. ‘So, tell me what’s new with you both? How are my darling grandchildren?’
Erin gives updates about the boys and Kate tells her mum about her trip to London, her mum asking all the right questions and laughing in all the right places. It’s a happy, chatty call, and Erin ends it with a satisfied smile on her face.
‘See, she’s fine!’ she says after she’s hung up.
‘Yeah, you’re probably right.’ But Kate isn’t so sure. Her mum asked lots of questions but shared very little from her own life. And it was clear from the call that she was at home. So why did she say she couldn’t make the swim? Kate knows she’s probably overthinking things, but the call has just added to her feeling that her mum might be avoiding her.
Her phone rings and she’s a little surprised to see Phoebe’s name on the screen.
‘You take that,’ says Erin, gathering her bags, slipping her shoes back on and standing up. ‘I should get back to the boys. And the rain is easing up now.’
Kate looks outside and sees that her sister is right, the downpour having turned to a drizzle that blurs the river in a fine mist. Erin squeezes Kate’s shoulder and kisses her on the cheek.
‘Don’t worry so much, sis. It’s all going to be OK. Thanks for the swim, love you!’ And then she’s heading out into the rain, her towel draped over her head like a makeshift umbrella.
Kate manages to answer the phone just before it rings out.
‘Hey, Phoebe, we missed you at the river this morning!’
‘Hey, Kate. Thanks for your message checking in, I reallyappreciated it. I just thought I’d give you a ring to tell you what’s been going on …’
Kate listens as Phoebe tells her all about her grandmother’s accident and Phoebe’s trip to Cornwall.
‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Phoebe. I’m glad to hear she’s doing OK now. AreyouOK though?’
Phoebe’s voice wobbles a little as she replies. ‘I’ve been better. These past couple of weeks have been …’
‘Shit?’ finishes Kate.
To her surprise, Phoebe laughs, a loud, deep cackle that makes Kate want to laugh too, it’s so contagious.
‘Yeah. Absolutely bloody shit.’
Phoebe tells Kate a bit more about her nan and about what happened with Luca.
