Elias groans. ‘Jesus Christ.’ Pearl lies very still, feigning sleep. ‘Do they really need to do that?’ he mutters.
‘Just go to sleep.’ She wishes now that she could make him disappear through the power of concentration alone.
Because there’s something Pearl wants to do right now. Elias is right, in that she does deserve a treat. Shehasto get away – before Abi mashes up all of her lipsticks and she goes quite mad. Not to a frothing sex pond near Weston-super-Mare, but to somewhere far, far away, with people who really love her.
Now it sounds as if Abi is battering the kitchen worktop with a mallet (she is probably only buttering a crumpet). Elias grunts and tries to tug Pearl’s share of the duvet off her.
This is it, she decides. He can find someone else to ‘relax’ with in a garden shed in Somerset, because they are over. She made a mistake, by allowing him into her life.
Elias is snoring softly now, properly asleep. Although it’s the middle of the night, and it won’t be seen until morning, Pearl is seized by an urge to fire off a message.
Taking care not to disturb Elias, she reaches for her phone and types:
Pearl
Hi Michael, hope all’s well. Am sure you’re super busy with Christmas but thought I’d drop you a note. I know it’s been years since we’ve seen each other but you’ve always said I should come up and visit. I’d really love to do that sometime. Could I bring a couple of friends, if that wouldn’t be too much of an imposition? Love Pearl xx.
She sends it and, and in a blink, her phone pings with a notification. Michael has replied.
6
2.17 A.M.
Pearl
Wow, you’re awake! Sorry, hope I didn’t disturb you.
Michael
Not at all. Bit of a night owl these days. How are you? How’s Brandon?
Pearl
We’re good thanks.
Michael
It’s terrible but I’ve lost track of his age. I’m guessing he’s outgrown those Lego robots now? What were they called again?
Pearl tries to close her ears to the muffled sex noises now coming from Brandon’s room.
Pearl
Bionicles. Yes he has but the one you sent was his favourite! He’s twenty-one would you believe?
Michael
Wow. So you’d like to come up and stay?
Pearl
That’d be great if you have any space?
Now Abi is panting loudly like an enthusiastic golden retriever. Pearl tries to shut off her ears as she stares at the screen.Michael is typing.
The sounds intensify. Pearl wonders if in fact the girl is having an asthma attack. Should she call 111? Bang! Crash! ‘Hold it. Hold it right there!’ Abi commands. Perhaps they’re building the Småstad?
Michael
