‘Stay cool, Ros. It’s all fine,’ said Cameron, making calming motions with his hands. That was all very well for him to say but it felt like a close call to Ros.
There was a knock on the door. Cameron looked at Ros. ‘You okay?’
She took a deep breath. ‘Let him in.’
Cameron opened the door. ‘Hi, Barry. This is a nice surprise. And Gazza, me old mucker.’ The dog greeted Cameron with his usual display of pawing, jumping up and enthusiastic licking.
‘Is everything all right?’ asked Ros, coming over to greet her father with a kiss on the cheek and a brief pat for the dog.
His expression was grave. ‘I’m all right. I’ve been worried about you.’
‘I’m fine,’ said Ros, feeling her shoulders tense up again. Perhaps she needed to see someone about that.
‘Can I let him off the lead?’ asked Barry. Gazza looked over at her with big innocent eyes.
Ros eyed her curtains. Darla’s instructions of soaking them overnight in a mix of white vinegar and cold water before sprinkling with baking soda and washing on a hot cycle had worked but the curtains didn’t quite look as perfect as they once had. ‘It’s probably best not to.’
Barry and Gazza looked disappointed. ‘Okay. But you’re sure you’re all right?’
‘Why wouldn’t Ros be okay?’ asked Cameron, taking Barry’s coat.
‘Didn’t she say?’ asked Barry, fixing his gaze on Ros.
‘No,’ said Cameron. ‘What am I missing?’ He glued his eyes on Ros.
She felt like she was being interrogated and realised that if she ever was, she would cave a lot quicker than she’d ever imagined she would. ‘My mother.’
Cameron looked to Barry for an explanation. ‘Amanda, Ros’s mum, is staying at mine for a bit.’
‘And she was there when you went over for lunch?’ asked Cameron.
‘Yep. First time I’ve seen her in five years.’
Cameron was at her side. ‘That must have been a shock.’
‘Total ambush,’ said Ros.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Barry from the sofa. ‘I don’t suppose there was any easy way for you two to meet after all this time.’
‘I should have come,’ said Cameron.
‘I did assume you’d be there to give Ros some support,’ said Barry.
‘If I’d known of course I would have been there.’
‘You’ve been a regular for the last few weeks. I just assumed,’ said Barry. ‘Did you have a good time with your friend?’ he asked.
‘Er yeah. We had a nice day, thanks, Barry.’ Cameron looked furtively at Ros. This was awkward.
‘We all had a takeaway together,’ said Ros, holding up a tray as if presenting evidence.
Barry nodded. ‘Your mum is worried that she’s upset you,’ he said.
‘Thanks, Dad. But I doubt that very much.’
‘Ros?’ Cameron looked embarrassed.
‘Actually it’s okay,’ said Barry, twisting his lips. ‘Amanda can be...’ he wobbled his head as if trying to conjure up the rest of the sentence ‘...a bit of a trial.’
